TENNIS in DEPTH.

World number one Rafael Nadal was named in Spain’s Davis Cup squad on Friday for next month’s opening round match at home to Serbia.

Nadal’s inclusion came a day after he withdrew from next week’s Dubai tournament on the advice of his doctor, to recover from the knee complaint that hindered his performance in the final in Rotterdam last weekend.

Spain’s new captain Albert Costa also included David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez, as well as Nicolas Almagro as a reserve.

Fernando Verdasco, who won the deciding match in last year’s Davis Cup final against Argentina, was ruled out with injury. Nadal was injured for the final.

Former French Open champion Costa took over in December after Emilio Sanchez Vicario stepped aside.

Spain will play Serbia on clay in Benidorm between March 6-8.

This announcement is the first reference to any injury problem for Fernando Verdasco, he is still listed as a starter in the Barclays Dubai Event scheduled for Monday, but maybe he will be forced to add his name to the that of the injured players sitting on the sidelines.

In other Davis Cup news…..

Andy Murray has been joined by Ross Hutchins in Great Britain’s Davis Cup squad for the forthcoming tie against Ukraine, at the expense of his brother Jamie.

The decision taken by the British captain John Lloyd, was influenced by Andy Murray himself. Hutchins and the world No. 4 singles player are good friends and trained together in the recent off-season.

Hutchins, aged 23 and currently ranked at No. 42 in the world in doubles, has been in better form than Jamie Murray in recent months, though is still ranked lower than the Scot. Winning the title in Beijing and reaching finals in Moscow and Lyon in 2008, Hutchins last week made the semi-finals at San Jose with regular partner Stephen Huss. Jamie, ranked at No. 36, has endured a tougher time of late, with the highlight of his year so far being a quarter-final finish in Brisbane with partner Dusan Vemic.

John Lloyd said:

I’ve been studying the players since the last tie in September and feel that Ross has been playing the better tennis over the last four or five months so he gets the nod this time.

Jamie is a very talented doubles player and has always thrived in the Davis Cup environment and I have no doubt that he will feature in the team in the future.

The Europe/Africa Zone Group 1 second round tie against Ukraine will take place on 6th – 8th March at Glasgow’s Braehead Arena.

Bookmark It