Argentina's David Nalbandian hopes Diego Maradona would give their Davis Cup final hopes a massive lift by turning up for the South American's weekend duel against Spain.

"I'd love Maradona to show up," said Nalbandian, after he was drawn to meet Spaniard David Ferrer in Friday's opening singles.

"We have a unique and historic chance to win the Davis Cup," added Nalbandian, ranked 11 in the world and who will seek to get the hosts off to a flying start against a man ranked just one place below him in the final at Mar del Plata, 400 kilometres south of the capital Buenos Aires.

World number nine Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro will take on 31st-ranked Feliciano Lopez in the second singles match prior to Saturday's doubles and Sunday's reverse singles.

Nalbandian said the Argentine camp, while keeping their fingers crossed that football coach Maradona, fresh from a debut win in Scotland, might make it back in time, were also hoping former tennis star Guillermo Vilas could also provide some moral support.

Although the tie is on hardcourt and the Spaniards traditionally have a preference for clay, their tandem of 16th-ranked Lopez and Fernando Verdasco will be slightly favoured to take the doubles rubber ahead of 60th-ranked Agustin Calleri and 48th-ranked Jose Acasuso.

Calleri said he was sure that if Maradona could get to the encounter he would indeed show.

"He'll be there as he has always supported us and has promised to try to make it — though now with his daughter being ill I'm not so sure," said Calleri.

Giannina Maradona developed problems with her pregnancy on Wednesday and is in hospital.

Her boyfriend, Argentina striker Sergio Aguero, flew back to Spain on Tuesday and missed the win over Scotland as a result to be with her.

Argentina skipper Alberto Mancini said of local boy Vilas, 56, that "he will be supporting the team and for us is an important presence."

The Argentines, twice beaten by their opponents in previous encounters in the competition, are bidding to win the event for the first time in their history whereas Spain lifted the Cup in 2000 and 2004.

But Spanish hopes have been severely dented this year by the loss through injury of world number one Rafael Nadal, who was a champion four years ago.

"I'm not going to lie and say it doesn't matter if Nadal is playing or not - but we have to take into account that Spain have a great team," Del Potro said Thursday.

Spanish skipper Emilio Sanchez said: "Argentina will be under much more pressure to win in the absence of our Rafa. But we have a great chance to win and we have to transmit that to the players."

This is the first time that Argentina have played in a Davis Cup final in Argentina after away losses in 1981 to the United States and 2006 to Russia.

Vilas played in the 1981 defeat.

The hosts are unbeaten in their last 13 home ties and in Nalbandian have a welter of tournament experience as he goes in with a 26-8 win-loss record.

Nalbandian, Calleri and Acasuso were members of the squad beaten in Moscow two years ago.

Draw:

Friday (from 1500 GMT)

David Nalbandian (ARG) v David Ferrer (ESP)

Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) v Feliciano Lopez (ESP)

Saturday (from 1600 GMT)

Jose Acasuso/ Agustin Calleri (ARG) v Feliciano Lopez/Fernando Verdasco (ESP)

Sunday (from 1400 GMT)

Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) v David Ferrer (ESP)

David Nalbandian (ARG) v Feliciano Lopez (ESP)

AFP

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