Friday September 18, 2009
Nadal blow gives Israel hope of Davis Cup upset
PARIS: Israel go into the first day of their Davis Cup semi-final tie with Spain today buoyed by the absence of world number three Rafael Nadal from the defending champions’ line-up.
Nadal, a six-time Grand Slam winner, was named in captain Albert Costa’s original squad but was ordered to rest by doctors after suffering from an abdominal problem at the US Open, where he was eliminated in the semi-finals.
Moving in: Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero will replace Rafael Nadal in today’s Davis Cup semi-final match against Israel. — AP The 23-year-old’s place for the claycourt tie, which takes place between today and Sunday at the Polaris World la Torre Golf Resort in Murcia, has been taken by world number 21 Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Nadal’s absence is a blow to Spain’s hopes of becoming the first country to defend their title since Sweden in 1998 but it gives a glimmer of hope to Israel, who will make their first appearance at this stage of the tournament.
Spain, though, have won all three of their previous Davis Cup meetings with Israel and boast an impressive record of 16 straight wins at home and 18 consecutive victories on clay.
“The fact that Nadal isn’t playing gives us a bit of motivation that maybe we can do it,” said Israel’s doubles specialist Andy Ram.
“Had he played he would have certainly won both his matches. Nevertheless, every one of their players is better than us on paper.”
The other semi-final sees eastern European rivals Croatia and the Czech Republic, ranked fifth and seventh respectively by the International Tennis Federation, meet for the first time in the competition.
Croatia have already beaten Chile and the USA and are making their first semi-final appearance since they won the tournament in 2005, while the Czechs haven’t made it to the last four since 1996.
The sides face off on clay in Porec, Croatia, with the hosts having won 11 of their last 12 ties on home soil.
The final of this year’s Davis Cup is scheduled to take place on Dec 4-6. The draw for the 2010 Davis Cup will be made on Sept 23. — AFP
Sports Poll
- Tevez, Adebayor give Man City 2-0 win over Bolton
- Lotus vow to make it through entire season
- Chinese pair banking on flour power
- Red Devils back at full power, says Edwin
- India’s richest man denies interest in Liverpool stake
- Reds regain mean streak
- Drogba fired up to keep Chelsea ahead of United
- New car will give Force India an advantage
- Hairi wants to be better than Shu Wai
- MNCF worked up over new ruling for team sprint at 2012 Olympics
- Tevez, Adebayor give Man City 2-0 win over Bolton
- Lakers down Spurs for second win without Bryant
- More scandals, please
- India get a thrashing
- Stoke’s Fuller held over club assault
- Two men jailed over Dalglish grenade case
- India’s richest man denies interest in Liverpool stake
- Reds regain mean streak
- Chinese pair banking on flour power
- Bid to find the ultimate EPL viewing experience
RSS
