Spain captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario ignored the world rankings as he chose Feliciano Lopez as his second singles player for the Davis Cup final against Argentina, ahead of Fernando Verdasco.

“It has been difficult to take the decision,” Sanchez Vicario, missing world number one Rafael Nadal through knee injury, told reporters after Thursday’s draw for the November 21-23 final.

Spain, who looked like they had the definite upper hand with world number one Rafael Nadal on their side, are now seen as the underdogs say many.

“Fernando is a little bit ahead in the rankings but Feliciano has shown a bit more in training.”