Argentina will be hoping this tie is their first step on the road to banishing the memories of their Final defeat to Spain last December when they travel to Bamberg to take on Germany.
Martin Jaite’s side are currently third favourites with many bookmakers to claim their first ever Davis Cup but they will have to start their campaign without Juan Martín Del Potro. Instead Jaite’s has gone for World No. 25 Juan Ignacio Chela, Juan Mónaco and the experienced David Nalbandian. Nalbandian has an impressive record in the Davis Cup with 22 wins from 27 singles matches throughout the years.
Germany had an excellent 3-2 victory over Croatia last year before exiting the tournament against France in the quarter finals on home soil. Captain Patrik Kuhnen will count on his two stars currently inside the world top 50 with Florian Mayer and Philipp Kohlschreiber. Kohlschreiber himself has three career titles to his name and encouraging for Kuhnen two of these titles have been won on home soil.
Veteran of the German side is former World No. 2 Tommy Haas who has a fine record in the tournament with 19 wins and only seven defeats. Although his rankings have fallen in recent years, perhaps the partisan home crowd can drive the Germans to an unexpected victory.
Prediction: Argentina 3-2
Date: 10 Feb - 12 Feb 2012
Venue: Stechert Arena Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
Surface: Clay (Red Clay), Indoor
