Argentina to stage final on indoor court

Argentina will stage next month's Davis Cup final against Spain on an indoor court in Mar del Plata, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said.

Mar del Plata was chosen ahead of Cordoba, the other potential venue put forward by Argentina for the Nov. 21-23 final.

"This was one of the most challenging decisions we have made during my decade-long tenure on the Davis Cup Committee," said chairman Juan Margets.

"There were many factors to consider including the wishes of the players to play on an indoor hard court, the feasibility of increasing the venue to the 12,000-seat minimum required in the regulations and other factors that contribute to the success of a Davis Cup final.

"In the end, the committee unanimously felt that Mar del Plata was the most appropriate venue for the 2008 final."

The resort's Islas Malvinas arena was built in 1995 for the Panamerican Games.

Argentina, unbeaten at home since 1998, have staged matches at the new Parque Roca arena in Buenos Aires since 2006 but decided to move the final because the clay surface would have suited their opponents.

Kremilin Kup SFs: (Men) Kunitsyn beat Santoro 6-4 6-3; Safin w.o. Zverev. (Women) Jankovic bt Dementieva 0-6 6-1 6-0; Zvonareva bt Safina 6-2 7-6.