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The Spaniard was a feast of tennis and feelings to give the `Armada´ first point of the final

Rafael Nadal was asked to give Spain the first point of the Davis Cup final in Spain measuring 2011 and Argentina in the Olympic Stadium of La Cartuja in Seville to break in three sets to Juan Monaco. The `Armada´ Thus there is a step forward in the goal of winning its fifth bowl.

Rafa Nadal was unable to attend the final in Mar del Plata in 2008 because of some pains in his knee after a season full of games. Despite the time difference and be on time off and recovery, not off mobile TV and encourage their peers from across the pond. Three years later, Spain and Argentina came back to get in the way of this competition, who lives in this year its 99th final and had the Balearic Islands as the protagonist of the first game to break Juan Monaco by an aggregate score of 6-1, 6 -1 and 6-2 after two hours and twenty-six minutes in a match played at the Olympic Stadium of La Cartuja.

Since losing in the Davis Cup debut against Jiri Novak on February 6, 2004, Nadal has accumulated 19 consecutive victories, the last ten without dropping a set. Despite the rain that morning and Sevilla drew leaks to the length and breadth of the Olympic Stadium of La Cartuja, the party began in scheduled time and intermittent sun. Who did not hesitate for a moment was Rafa, that despite wasting three break balls in the opening game was safe and plugged in, putting a level of intensity to match the Argentine endured only three games. After reaching the first break Nadal, drew the best version of tennis. With spark, with confidence, with a right that is unparalleled on clay. Signed seven straight games and cheered by an audience given to the cause, the first leg buckled Rafa in the fast lane.

Silences the Argentine public spirited

The Spaniard was greatly encouraged when playing for their country and only then can justify the change in attitudes and feelings in his match against Monaco. Transciones great defense, attack, deep strokes to prevent your opponent get into track, telescopic sights adjusted to the lines of both right and even reverse it unusual rises to the network. New break in the fourth game of partial charge in the saddle of a Nadal who rode to victory with authority. The superiority was such that even froze the spirits of the 3,000 `cancheros´ albiceleste T-shirt in the stands.

While Tito Vazquez celebrated every point / game of his pupil like a victory, Albert Costa kept his cool in the chair, applauding the good work of Rafa. Monaco raised the level of his opposition in the third act, but eventually bowed the knee (literally) in the fifth game, after conceding two points on a beautiful bill Nadal proved to be the `king of clay´. It was the last straw for a party that ended up being a show.

The arms in the air of Nadal after signing the last point and take the applause of the respectable result not only in the first point of the end for the `Armada´ but a great deal of morale for the Spaniard. Had long been suffering, and today I enjoy playing ... After this success, David Ferrer will go to the finishing touch to the first day. The Javea, number 5 in the world, is measured Juan Martin del Potro. La Cartuja wait ... no desire to party

Good atmosphere in the draw held on Thursday at the Teatro Lope de Vega

It is a very individual sport like tennis, compete for your country as a team becomes an event. Maybe that´s what´s so special about Davis Cup more than 100 years of history. In this latest edition, and with the clay of the Olympic Stadium of La Cartuja as a stage play, Spain and Argentina seek to register their name in the list of winners of the Davis.

Since Rafael Nadal on clay jump Sant Jordi in Barcelona in December 2000 as standard-bearer carrying the Spanish flag in the first final of the `Armada´ local territory (previously lost to Australia in 1965 and 1967), the Spaniard knew that his life would be linked to this tennis tournament. It debuted in 2004 at Brno in the Czech Republic, with the Spanish hero to get to the fifth item Radek Stepanek facing our passage to the quarterfinals. That same year, the Olympic Stadium of La Cartuja as a witness, Rafa became the youngest player to win the Davis Cup with just 18 years and 187 days. His feeling with competition have led him to sign a background of 20 wins and 5 losses (18-1 in singles), being largely absent from the end of Mar del Plata in 2008 against Argentina and starred the following year in Barcelona at the Czech Republic. Nadal is the great leader of the team led by Albert Costa. "It is true that my record in the last seven years on earth is very good and hopefully I can go on, but the Davis Cup competition is a special, different, less time to prepare and everything is more dangerous. There is a desire to win the importance of the tournament and finish the season with positive feelings. But it will not be easy, "says the Spaniard.

Nadal´s first opponent in Seville will be his friend Juan Monaco, with whom he shared apartment holidays and PlayStation games in each tournament. Although the Argentine captain, Modesto `Tito´ Vazquez, has attempted to play the dismissal until the last minute like a game of chess is involved, the entry of `peak´ for the first day was a secret. The objective is to punish as possible to the No. 1 Spanish and David Nalbandian saved for the last two days. "The earth is a very hard surface and prefer not to put a player three straight days," said coach albiceleste. Nadal and Monaco have met on three occasions to date, with a background of 2-1 in favor of the Spaniard, who had to withdraw at their last meeting in Cincinnati 2007. "I feel good, with confidence, energy and adapted to clay," warns Monaco.

The importance of sentence or to hope

Albicelestes options go through scratching a spot on the first day of competition and the headlights are on Juan Martin del Potro, who return to their Argentine number 1 three years after the `Marplatazo´ to Spain. "It´s part of the past. We grew a lot as a result of that end, I improved a lot as a player and now have a second chance. We are calm and try to fight very hard," says the Tower of Tandil, which has signed an exceptional season in which has moved from the position 485 of the ranking to rise to the eleventh step. Even end the year in `Top-Ten´ world just win a game in the final.

His first opportunity to have it to David Ferrer. The Javea, that as soon takes gallons of leader in the absence Nadal puts on overalls and yields in the shade, is the third player with the most wins on clay this season (behind only Nicolas Almagro and Rafa himself) . "I get physically tired, but the final is going to give up. It is last year´s effort," said Ferru. David and Del Potro have been measured on four occasions to date, sharing two wins each player. Interestingly, Sevilla will mark the first precedent between the two on clay.

Nadal-Monaco, to open mouth

Predictably, the draw was held Thursday at the Teatro Lope de Vega in Seville and has been the model Eva Gonzalez as master of ceremonies, finished to resolve the uncertainties regarding the Argentine box. While Costa has confirmed that, unless unforeseen last minute Nadal and Ferrer used for individual duels and Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco for doubles, Vazquez confirmed that Eduardo Schwank enters the group to the detriment of Juan Ignacio Chela, while Monaco bet on the first day to reserve a Nalbandian who claims to be "with the dream of his life." The first game (Friday, 14.00 hours, TVE) is the Nadal-Monaco match followed by Ferrer-Del Potro.

"Spain is the strongest team in history on clay," said Del Potro. It is wrong. Since losing in Lleida to the Brazilian `Guga´ Kuerten in the first round of 1999, Spain accumulates 22 consecutive knockout win on this surface, 20 of them acting as local. In this case will again be the Olympic Stadium of La Cartuja, which is prepared to accommodate 27,700 spectators, a record in the history of the sport. Argentina gets hungry for the first time raise the Davis, Spain forward to adding his fifth `punch´ of silver. Wait a weekend of passion ... and tennis.

Nadal-Gasquet and Ferrer-Simon, the tie will open this Friday from 12.00

Spain and France are measured in the Los Califas bullring in Cordoba for a spot in the Davis Cup final 2011. With Rafael Nadal at the head, the 'Armada' wants to keep adding wins at home and on clay, while the Gauls try the macho despite the absence of Gael Monfils in their ranks.

In a bullring, on clay and the best players. Albert Costa has, after three rounds in a row at home (France, Belgium, United States), with the best possible scenario for dealing with a Davis Cup tie. Across France, perhaps along with Spain's great power in the world of the racket, the desired opponent after the ambush last year in Clermont-Ferrand. There is desire of 'vendetta' by us, but more to reach the final eighth in the history of this competition. The Salad is very close and the option to grab it again passes through the Gauls break this weekend.

Spain has 19 consecutive wins as host and 21-game winning streak on clay. Since the fall in Lleida against Brazil (2-3) in the World Group first round in 1999, the `Navy 'has become invincible at home and on clay. For this occasion the venue chosen was the Plaza de Toros de Córdoba, a venue with capacity for 13,000 spectators that will make the `I'm Spanish 'his tune header. Hot environment (35 º) and festive in the stands. Tension and swords in style in the arena.

Heat in the atmosphere and in the stands

Spain will be led this time by Rafael Nadal (18-5), No. 2 in the world and with which Spain has yielded only a tie when he has been on track. Despite New York whirlwind trip to Seville, Cordoba and jet'lag `'which is still recovering, his presence seems assured. Another fixed for the coach is David Ferrer (15-4), leader of the `Navy 'in the` Austinazo' quarter-final. Fernando Verdasco (14-10) and Feliciano Lopez (12-14) are called to play only the doubles, although either could enter the fray before if coast it saw fit.

The French team led by Guy Forget comes to the appointment with the notable absence of Gael Monfils, but ready to spring a surprise. For individual, Captain Gallo has marked cards and play with Richard Gasquet (6-6) and Gilles Simon (3-4), who despite having spent a bout of flu appears to be in top condition to jump into the ring. So, let Jo-Wilfred Tsonga (9-1) for the combination of doubles with Michael Llodra (19-11).

The bugle will sound for the first time this Friday at 12.00 when Nadal and Gasquet to open the tie. Both have met on ten occasions, with a background of 9-1 favorable for the Spanish (the only victory gala was a Challenger in 2003). After the change of pace will close the first poster Ferrer and Simon, have been dealt a win in the two previous meetings to date. The doubles match will be Saturday from 15.00 and on Sunday will begin the day from 12.00. Spain and France have been measured in a total of seven times, with a background of 5-2 in favor of ours.

The Spanish tennis player to win not suffer Ruben Bemelmans 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 54 minutes of play in which he was returning to the court after overcoming his hamstring.

After the 1-0 in three sets over Xavier Malisse Fernando Verdasco (6-4, 6-3, 6-1), entered the second armored door. Rafa Nadal is crowned in the four 'big' against Ruben Bemelmans, 144 º, only seven games in the World Tour circuit, proper tennis but without the mordant needed to embarrass the number one. And what happened had to happen: 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 and Spain playing as if he were at home with the 6,000 spectators at the Spiroudome in Charleroi delivered to a computer that meets three top-ten. Of course, Nadal did not have the spark that gives the set of the tournament and missed balls that usually does not forgive. The pounding rhythm did not appear. Nor was normal for his tennis fluid after inactivity arising from the Australia Open.

Two to zero on the scoreboard and tomorrow, Saturday (14:30) the opportunity for Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez (seven wins and three defeats as doubles in the Davis) make it 3-0 to make Sunday a placid. His rivals will Malisse (very intermittent and lacking physical yesterday) and Olivier Rochus small (1.65 cm). Spain, champion four times in the last ten years, IAEA and the quarter-final.

Nadal, who competed for 37 days, was faced with a player that as grounds for Rochus to advance to the team was winning last week's Challenger in Wolfsburg. And he argued. Nadal pulled out his repertoire of balls deep and lift in the first set (6-2), but then looked uncomfortable in the next two sleeves, between glances and comments with his uncle Toni (the judge came to get their attention). Even dull, Nadal was effective when it should. Left 8 aces, reached out to 205 km / h and only served to be intimidating Bemelmans not come to disturb him. In the third set, broke in the seventh game (5-2) and was launched to shut down 2-0 to Spain. Navy Nadal, Ferrer, Verdasco and Feliciano, undefeated in four qualifying rounds, is particularly expensive in Belgium. With commitment, without blemish.