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Rafa must win if Spain hopes to retain the Cup.

by bahamaderek on Dec.04, 2009, under 2009 Davis Cup, Rafael Nadal, Thomas Berdych

Rafael Nadal will play Tomas Berdych in the opening match of the Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic in Barcelona. The world No 2 will be hoping to improve after losing his past four matches – including all three at last week’s ATP World Tour Finals in London.

David Ferrer will face Radek Stepanek in the second singles match of the best-of-five series that starts on Friday.

Ferrer, who hasn’t played since November because of a hamstring injury, was picked to play singles ahead of Fernando Verdasco, who also lost all three of his matches in London.

In Saturday’s doubles, Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez will take on Lukas Dlouhy and Jan Halek, with the tie being played indoors on clay at the Palau Sant Jordi.

Spain, the defending champions, remain the favourites but the form of both of their leading men is a cause for concern.

“It wasn’t a big surprise,” Nadal said of his ATP Tour defeats. “When you are not 100 per cent at a tournament like that you’re going to lose. Here I am 100 per cent. I will be playing a little bit better I hope. You can’t always play perfect but I think I’m ready for tomorrow.”

Nadal, who has a 10-0 record in singles rubbers on clay, has won his past four matches against Berdych since an bad-tempered defeat in Madrid three years ago.

“There’s no problem between Rafael and I,” Berdych said. “I don’t think this will play a part in this game. He’s going to play at home and he’s going to play on his favourite surface. He’s going to be at his best.”

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