Spanish Davis Cup captain Alberto Costa has his work cut out for him. He has too many possibilities and not enough spots. The Spanish captain has the luxury to choose from Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Feliciano Lopez for five spots. With the exception of Lopez, all of six of his choices are in the top 21. I am sure the other captains could only wish for such a problem. In the semifinals, he had an easier time choosing because Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal were injured, and he could just activate Juan Carlos Ferrero. Ferrero has been solid and now is 2-0 in Davis Cup action.
The Spaniards will meet the Czech Republic in the finals. To my chagrine, this team has taken out some of my teams this year. Unlike the Spaniards, the team does not have a deep bench and really consists of Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych. To get to three wins, they each play singles and doubles.
This one-two punch has sent the French, the Argentines and the Croats packing on their road to the finals. The Czech duo are 6-2 in singles and 3-0 in doubles in Davis Cup this year. They also can both play on clay. Berdych is no slouch and has won three titles on clay. In the semifinals, the Czechs had no trouble dismissing the Croats 4-1 on clay.
Most people think final match up will be a foregone conclusion for Spain, but I do not think it is going to be that easy for the Spanish with or without Rafael Nadal. If Nadal does not play, I do not think Spain will win.
Today, we had a preview of a possible Davis Cup singles match up. Radek Stapanek and Juan Carlos Ferrero went at it today in Shanghai. Stepanek made an easy work of Ferrero. He beat the Spaniard, who has played well of late, 6-3 6-0 in under an hour of play. This result looks like it could be a foreshadowing of things to come. I think I am need to sign off and take some Tums now.
(Images: Eugene Hoshiko/AP)
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