<div><p>Spanish opening day hero Feliciano Lopez and skipper Emilio Sanchez Vicario said Saturday morale was on a high as they prepared to take a shock lead over Argentina in Saturday's Davis Cup final doubles.</p><p>Seeking their first ever win in the competition Argentina went into only their third final compared with Spanish wins in 2000 and 2004 and three final losses, looking to coast through to glory in the injury absence of Spain's world number one Rafael Nadal.</p><p>Instead, matters were poised nicely at 1-1 after Friday's singles encounters after Lopez stunned Argentine number one Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 to level the tie after David Nalbandian had thrashed David Ferrer in straight sets.</p><p>Lopez and Fernando Verdasco were Saturday afternoon out to turn the encounter on its head by beating Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri.</p><p>The Argentinians are risking everything on Nalbandian, preferred to original doubles choice Jose Acasuso, being able to cope with a marathon weekend after he showed his form against Ferrer.</p><p>"This point is going to be crucial - and they (the Argentines) know it. It is going to be a tough encounter," said Lopez - who had looked to have been handed an unenviable task of replacing Nadal - as he prepared to go on court.</p><p>Verdasco agreed.</p><p>"It will be difficult but we are up for it - our morale is sky high" after levelling the final, he told reporters.</p><p>And Sanchez Vicario chipped in: "This is going to be a really, really tough one."</p><p>The Argentines were hoping that a 11,000 capacity and passionate home crowd at the Estadio Islas Malvinas in Mar del Plata would see them through.</p><p>But Del Potro's groin injury which hampered his showing Friday means the hosts are likely to have to rule him out of the return singles and send in Acasuso in his place against Ferrer.</p><p>"We'll take a decision on him after the doubles," said team doctor Diego Rivas, who said the injury came about as a result of "tiredness, nerves and sheer effort."</p><p>Franco Davin, Del Potro's coach, admitted that "Juan Martin was mentally shattered" after Friday's match.</p><p>"We'll see how he is on Sunday and (skipper Alberto) Mancini will decide."</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=37475995&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

Copyright 2008  <a href="http://www.afp.com/english/links/?pid=copyright">AFP Global Edition</a></div></div>