Tennis: Scud primed for Davis Cup dogfight

Australia's Mark Philippoussis says he is ready for a dogfight after being drawn to face David Nalbandian in the opening rubber of their Davis Cup world group semi-final against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Nalbandian himself remained brashly confident, just as he was earlier in the week when he predicted an easy win for the South Americans in the tie, which starts later today.

Philippoussis will face a hostile 14,000-strong crowd and an unfavourable clay surface as he makes his Davis Cup return after a two-and-a-half-year absence.

"I'm prepared for a dogfight and that is what it's going to be, nothing less than that," said Philippoussis after the draw.

"I'm prepared to stick it out there and do whatever it takes to get the result we need."

Nalbandian believes he has the advantage over Philippoussis.

"He's a great player but he has been injured, he's playing on a surface which is very difficult for him and under these conditions we have great chances of winning," he said.

Australia, beaten 4-1 at home by Argentina on grass at the quarter-final stage last year, are seen as rank outsiders in the clash against opponents who have not lost a home tie for eight years.

The presence in the Australian team of Lleyton Hewitt, who has had several angry clashes with Argentine players in the past, has added spice to the encounter.

Nalbandian added: "I believe in this team, I believe our players are good enough to beat any team and if it's 1-1 at the end of the first day, I'm not going to start trembling."

The player, who has also been picked for Saturday's doubles with Calleri against Paul Hanley and Wayne Arthurs, was equally upbeat when asked if he thought he would be tired by Sunday.

"If I have long games on Friday and Saturday, it could be a problem," he said. "But I don't see that happening."

The second rubber will pit Jose Acasuso, who was picked ahead of Calleri and Juan Ignacio Chela as Argentina's second singles player, against Hewitt.

Australian captain John Fitzgerald appeared happy to let his team take the role of underdogs.

"We've always said that Argentina deserve to start as favourites but we have a lot of faith in this team," he said.

"These players have five Davis Cup trophies between them.

"We don't think we have any problems. We feel very relaxed.

"We've seen some reports that maybe we're not going to win one single game this weekend, but let's see."

- REUTERS