The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

Argentina eye Davis Cup revenge against Spain

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 07:24 AM PST

Rafael Nadal of Spain looks at the ball before returning a shot during his Davis Cup World Group semi-final against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the Cordoba bullring September 18, 2011. Rafa Nadal thrashed France's Tsonga 6-0 6-2 6-4 to put Spain through to the Davis Cup final on Sunday. – Reuters pic

MADRID, Nov 30 – The last time Argentina met Spain in the Davis Cup, in the 2008 final in Mar del Plata, the South Americans were firm favourites to claim their first title but their challenge was wrecked by infighting within the team.

The Spanish, without talisman Rafa Nadal, pulled off a dramatic victory on the indoor hard court for a third triumph in nine years, Fernando Verdasco battling from two sets to one down to beat Jose Acasuso and secure an unassailable 3-1 lead.

With clay king Nadal leading the charge and the 2011 final to be played on the red dust indoors in Seville, the boot is very much on the other foot and anything other than a Spanish victory – giving them a third title in four years and fifth overall – would be a major surprise.

Argentina, who have Juan Monaco, Juan Ignacio Chela and Eduardo Schwank alongside Juan Martin Del Potro and David Nalbandian in the squad for the Dec. 2-4 tie, say the personality clashes that ruined their 2008 bid are firmly behind them.

"That's in the past, completely in the past," Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, told a news conference yesterday.

"After that (2008) final, we grew up, I've improved my game a lot and now we have another chance," added the rangy 23-year-old, Argentina's top-ranked player at world number 11.

"Here it's different players, different surface, different stadium and this time Spain is the favourite.

"It's going to be different than Mar del Plata, if we are in good shape and remain focused."

Verdasco said he knew the Argentines were hurt by the defeat three years ago.

"They were at home and favourites and it's clear they want to pay us back," he said. "But we are preparing as if we have never won it before."

TALL ORDER

Argentina's players have been working hard on clay and are hoping the fact that neither Del Potro nor Nalbandian have played a competitive match since October will give them a freshness the Spanish may lack.

Nadal and Ferrer competed on a hard court at last week's World Tour Finals in London, with Ferrer reaching the last four, and have had less than a week to make the switch to their favoured clay.

However, getting the better of either world number two Nadal or number five Ferrer will be a tall order for the visitors as neither player has lost a Davis Cup singles rubber on the surface.

Nadal boasts a 14-0 clay record and 18-1 overall, while Ferrer is 11-0 on clay and 16-4 on all surfaces. Spain have won their last 20 home Davis Cup ties and their last 22 on clay.

"I'm sure it's an open match in some ways but I think Spain are really the overwhelming favourite," world number three Roger Federer told the Davis Cup website (http://www.daviscup.com) this week.

"They are playing at home and they have an incredibly solid team," added the Swiss.

"(Argentina) have their players and their team and anything is possible, but obviously it's normal to favour the Spaniards with Rafa on the team, back on clay."

If the singles are a daunting prospect, Argentina may feel Saturday's doubles rubber is theirs for the taking.

Spain's regular pairing of Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez crashed to a heavy defeat by France's Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semi-final.

"We've learned from our mistakes," Verdasco told a news conference. "In Cordoba (in the semi-finals) things didn't work out as we wanted, but we've trained in Barcelona this week and prepared differently to in the past."

The draw for the three-day final is on Thursday, when team captains Albert Costa of Spain and Argentina's Tito Vazquez will name their line-ups. – Reuters

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Leverkusen seal long-term deal with keeper Leno

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 06:35 AM PST

BERLIN, Nov 30 – Bayer Leverkusen have signed goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who was on loan from VfB Stuttgart, on a long-term deal until 2017, last season's Bundesliga runners-up said today.

The 19-year-old Leno (picture), who arrived in August on a four-month loan contract following a long-term injury to Leverkusen's first choice keeper Rene Adler, has had an outstanding season, helping Bayer reach the Champions League round of 16.

"I feel good here and am thankful to be playing in the Bundesliga and the Champions League," Leno said in a statement. "I want to pay back this trust in me."

He was due to return to Stuttgart in January.

"With Bernd Leno we have managed to secure the services of one of Germany's top goalkeeping talents on a long-term basis," Leverkusen sports director Rudi Voeller said.

"He has done an outstanding job replacing injured Rene Adler and has a large share in the success of reaching the Champions League round of 16," Voeller added. – Reuters

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Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Rabu, 30 November 2011

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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