Ferrer to play Stepanek to open Davis Cup final

PRAGUE (AP) - Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic will play David Ferrer of Spain in in the opening singles match of the 100th Davis Cup final.

Sixth-ranked Czech Tomas Berdych will face Nicolas Almagro in the second singles match Friday on an indoor hard court.

Defending champion Spain is without injured Rafael Nadal.

The fifth-ranked Ferrer has a career 6-3 record against Stepanek. Berdych, meanwhile, has beaten Almagro in four of their five matches this year.

Ivo Minar and Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic were selected to play Saturday's doubles against Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez, who won the ATP World Tour Final title on Monday.

But captain Jaroslav Navratil is expected to bring in Berdych and Stepanek, who are 11-1 in Davis Cup doubles.

The reverse singles are scheduled for Sunday.