Davis Cup Final touches in Mar del Plata, Argentina

As the strong winds ease off in Mar del Plata, making way for glorious 27ºC weather, preparations for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final between Argentina and Spain are also heating up at the Estadio Polideportivo Islas Malvinas.

Since Mar del Plata was confirmed as the host city six weeks ago, the stadium has undergone an extensive and impressive revamp, from the fundamentals of laying a tennis court, to increasing the seating capacity of the stadium, building television commentary booths, installing and positioning multiple CCTV-style cameras for Hawkeye Officiating, and even the exterior getting a re-paint.

With play beginning on Friday 21 November, final touches are being made inside and around the site, while the media start to arrive and the players make the most of their daily practice sessions.

The Spanish team were the first to arrive on Friday, and after attending the wedding of fellow player Juan Ignacio Chela, the Argentine team returned to Mar del Plata on Sunday, with del Potro in tow, who flew straight from competing at the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai.

The final, the most high-profile and highly-anticipated final in years, has also received plenty of coverage in local and national press, with more than 500 accredited national and international media yet to arrive in the city. When tickets went on sale over a week ago, almost three million people clogged the phonelines and fans even camped out overnight to buy tickets from the stadium.

Whether Argentina fulfils its dream of winning the treasured Cup, or the Spaniards cause the biggest upset on South American soil, the Argentina v Spain showdown is assured to be one of the hottest tickets on the tennis calendar this year.
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SOURCE:
Davis Cup Official Website
17 Nov 2008
http://www.daviscup.com
http://www.daviscup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?articleid=15395