Czech Republic at Argentina Davis Cup Preview

Czech Republic at Argentina
Site: Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Surface: Red clay outdoors
Ball: Pro Penn Extra Duty (Black Seal)

Even without current French Open holder Gaston Gaudio, who pulled with a stomach injury, Argentina goes into this weekend's home tie on the red clay in Buenos Aires as the overwhelming favorite against the Czech Republic.

The Gauchos will front Roland Garros runner-up Guillermo Coria, with David Nalbandian or the resurgent Guillermo Canas at No. 2 in singles. Agustin Calleri was added to the team to replace Gaudio.

Czech captain Cyril Suk will lead with Jiri Novak and comer Tomas "I Beat Federer in 2004" Berdych, with Jan Hernych and Tomas Zib rounding out the squad. Novak had a clay win over Coria back in 2002, has never faced Nalbandian on the dirt, and got worked by Canas on the red 6-4, 6-0 back in 2002 in their last dirt meeting. Berdych has faced only one of the Gauchos, getting fed a bagel set by Coria at this year's Australian Open.

Unless an inspired Novak can do a one-man-band in singles and doubles, this could easily become another 5-0 first-round red clay blowout.