Hi all. Here's today's space for discussing the Davis Cup final between Argentina and Spain. As expected, David Nalbandian will be taking the place of Jose Acasuso in today's doubles: he and Agustin Calleri will face Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco.
One of the many things I really like about Davis Cup is the way that doubles becomes pivotal to the team, to the point where these matches are just as hard fought as any singles match. I also like the fact that we're not dealing with the emasculated version of professional doubles that we normally see on tour, and there are no final-set tiebreaks. The last two matches played by Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez in Davis Cup went to the full five sets, and so did the doubles played in the semifinal by Argentina (David Nalbandian and Guillermo Canas). For Spain's last two ties I was there in person both times, and the experience was every bit as thrilling as any big singles match. Because these matches are always televised (no longer happening regularly even during Grand Slams where doubles is concerned), and also because they remain best-of-five sets (only the case at Wimbledon among the Grand Slams), it often feels to me as though Davis Cup is the best and last refuge of doubles on the pro tour.
With the tie poised at 1-1, today's match really matters to both teams.
As always, enjoy today's tennis
-- Rosangel Valenti