ARTICLE Spain: Ferrero or bust
You can forget a Rafael Nadal-Andy Roddick duel in the Davis Cup finals: despite Juan-Carlos Ferrero's poor form, the hosts are counting all the way on the former world number one to play the singles alongside Carlos Moya.
Spain Davis Cup captains Jordi Arrese, Juan Avendaño and José Perlas are counting on the 24-year old to perform at "La Cartuja", even though the 2003 Roland Garros champion finished a season to forget 45 days ago.
After a 2004 marred by various ailments to his hips, knees, and shoulders, Ferrero hasn't competed since the Madrid Masters which has raised concerns about his fitness and state of mind.
Spain's coaches are doing whatever they can to raise up Ferrero's confidence.
In order to be able to measure his curent level the former world number one have been practicing with team mate Carlos Moya who is great shape.
On Saturday, the Spanish pair played two sets and they were tied at one set apiece, however on Monday Moya crushed Ferrero 6-1.
On the same day, Antonio Martinez scheduled a hard training session working a huge range of shots and by sunset Ferrero seemed to have regained confidence ahead of his first singles match on Friday.
DOUBLES A WORRY THAN A-ROD
Spain coach Juan Avendano told Spanish newspaper Marca that the Bryan brothers would be the hardest obstacle.
"For me, the doubles will be the most difficult rubber - on paper they are more experienced as a duo," he said.
Avendano denied that his team had given up on overturning the big-serving Roddick.
"It is true that we have more possibilities against [Mardy] Fish but we have to think about winning against Roddick and in the doubles," said Jose Perlas, another of the national coaches.
"We think we can take all five points."
You can forget a Rafael Nadal-Andy Roddick duel in the Davis Cup finals: despite Juan-Carlos Ferrero's poor form, the hosts are counting all the way on the former world number one to play the singles alongside Carlos Moya.
Spain Davis Cup captains Jordi Arrese, Juan Avendaño and José Perlas are counting on the 24-year old to perform at "La Cartuja", even though the 2003 Roland Garros champion finished a season to forget 45 days ago.
After a 2004 marred by various ailments to his hips, knees, and shoulders, Ferrero hasn't competed since the Madrid Masters which has raised concerns about his fitness and state of mind.
Spain's coaches are doing whatever they can to raise up Ferrero's confidence.
In order to be able to measure his curent level the former world number one have been practicing with team mate Carlos Moya who is great shape.
On Saturday, the Spanish pair played two sets and they were tied at one set apiece, however on Monday Moya crushed Ferrero 6-1.
On the same day, Antonio Martinez scheduled a hard training session working a huge range of shots and by sunset Ferrero seemed to have regained confidence ahead of his first singles match on Friday.
DOUBLES A WORRY THAN A-ROD
Spain coach Juan Avendano told Spanish newspaper Marca that the Bryan brothers would be the hardest obstacle.
"For me, the doubles will be the most difficult rubber - on paper they are more experienced as a duo," he said.
Avendano denied that his team had given up on overturning the big-serving Roddick.
"It is true that we have more possibilities against [Mardy] Fish but we have to think about winning against Roddick and in the doubles," said Jose Perlas, another of the national coaches.
"We think we can take all five points."
