Mar Del Plata, Argentina -- (Sports Network) - The 2008 Davis Cup World Group final commenced Friday, as visiting Spain and host Argentina are knotted at 1-1 following the opening singles rubbers.

The best-of-five championship round got underway when Argentine star David Nalbandian spanked Spaniard David Ferrer 6-3, 6-2, 6-3, but Feliciano Lopez surprisingly pulled Spain even with a 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory over rising world No. 9 Argentine slugger Juan Martin del Potro at Mar del Plata.

The world No. 11 Nalbandian outclassed the 12th-ranked Ferrer in just under two hours on the indoor hardcourt here at Estadio Islas Malvinas.

Ferrer failed to take a lead at any point on Day 1 and was under constant pressure due to some solid serving and tremendous net play by Nalbandian.

The former Tennis Masters Cup champion and former Wimbledon runner-up Nalbandian whipped Ferrer with the help of seven aces, and the gritty Argentine broke the Spaniard's serve a whopping seven times, compared to only two breaks for the eventual loser.

Nalbandian improved to 4-6 lifetime against Ferrer, including wins now in three of their last four encounters. This marked their first meeting this year and their first-ever Davis Cup matchup.

"I don't think it was one of my best matches, but I played very well," Nalbandian said. "I played very solid from the first point, so that gave me confidence point by point. I think I played a match of very high level, not much on the time, very short, and that's very good for the whole weekend."

The 26-year-old Nalbandian is now 17-4 in his career Davis Cup singles.

The 27-year-old lefthanded Lopez then stunned the 6-foot-5 del Potro in 3 hours, 19 minutes, despite a 24-ace barrage from the tall Argentine. Lopez fired 19 aces of his own on his way to victory.

Both players could manage only two breaks apiece over four sets of tennis.

Lopez ultimately took control of the match by winning the third-set tiebreak, which he trailed 2-4 at one point before rattling off five straight points to assume the lead against a tiring del Potro.

Trailing 2-3 in the final set, del Potro doubled over in pain and called for a trainer. After play resumed, the lanky Argentine was unable to overcome the game Lopez.

Del Potro was not in prime condition for this match, given the fact that he has had problems with his toe, and also his tongue. He bit into his tongue during a practice session this week and so much blood spilled onto the court that he had to cut his training short and seek medical attention.

The 31st-ranked Lopez is now 2-2 lifetime against the 20-year-old del Potro, including a perfect 2-0 mark this year.

Saturday's pivotal doubles bout currently calls for an Argentine duo of Jose Acasuso and Agustin Calleri to meet a Spanish tandem of Lopez and fellow southpaw Fernando Verdasco, while Sunday's reverse singles currently pit del Potro against Ferrer and Nalbandian versus Lopez.

The Spaniards, captained by Emilio Sanchez, also have Davis Cup rookie Marcel Granollers at their disposal. Granollers joined the squad last week when world No. 1 superstar Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal, citing a knee injury. The amazing Nadal is the reigning Wimbledon, French Open and Olympic champ.

The formidable Argentine squad, captained by Alberto Mancini, is seeking its first-ever Davis Cup title, while the Spaniards already own two championships, with both coming this decade, in 2000 and 2004. Argentina was the runner-up two years ago and also back in 1981.

Spain is 2-0 all-time versus Argentina, which is hosting for the first time ever in this series. The Spaniards prevailed at home way back in 1926 and again in 2003.

The Spaniards, who are 2-3 in their all-time Davis Cup finals and appearing in their fourth final this decade, reached this year's final by beating the 32-time and defending champion United States 4-1 in a semifinal in Madrid, while Argentina got past Russia 3-2 in Buenos Aires, with del Potro winning a fifth and deciding rubber.

The Argentines have won 13 straight Davis Cup ties as the host.