Roger Federer tips Spain for Davis Cup crown

London: World No 1 Roger Federer has tipped Spain to win the 2009 Davis Cup final in Barcelona next week.

"For some reason, I still favour the Spaniards to win the Davis Cup, even if they don't have [Rafael] Nadal and [Fernando] Verdasco," Federer told the media after losing the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London on Saturday.

"Even if they don't have Nadal and Verdasco, they've got quite a few others in their arsenal. Good luck to them anyway," he added.

The Davis Cup final between Spain and Czech Republic will be staged at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona from December 4-6.

With players such as Nadal, Verdasco, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez, Spain will be attempting to become the first nation since Sweden in 1998 to retain the title.

But it won't be as easy against a Czech team that are also chasing their second crown since their maiden triumph in 1980.