Quarterfinals of Davis Cup to Feature Rafael Nadal's Return
The quarterfinals of the Davis Cup will feature the great incentive of the return to the court of the world number one, Rafael Nadal, absent since the Australian Open, in the Spain-Germany match that will be played in the bullring of Valencia.
Like in the old times, when he reigned in the team tournament with four victories (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011), Spain will present Nadal and David Ferrer in singles.
The world number one will return on his favorite surface, clay, today in the second singles match against Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Before that, the first match will pit Ferrer against the main German hope, 20-year-old Alexander Zverev, ranked number four in the world.
"Physically, I have felt good these days," said Nadal, who returned to the world number one this week before stating that he hopes to "be well tomorrow". Rafa has not played since he retired from the Australian Open quarterfinals due to a right leg injury.
Precisely Marin Cilic, the player against whom Nadal retired in Melbourne, will lead Croatia against Kazakhstan in Varazdin. The world number three will open the tie against Dmitry Popko.
Then his compatriot Borna Coric, one of the new stars of the circuit, will face Mikhail Kukushkin. The series will be played in the Varazdin Arena.
In addition, the reigning champion France, led by Lucas Pouille (11th ATP), will face Italy in Genoa at the Valletta Cambiaso, a clay court.
In Yannick Noah's last season at the helm of the "Musketeers," France aims to renew the title in a very special year, possibly the last under the current format of the competition born in 1900.
If the proposal of the International Tennis Federation is validated in August, it will be the end of home and away matches, as well as the five-set format. The Davis Cup quarterfinals are completed in Nashville, where the United States hosts the runner-up, Belgium.
10 series in favor
The German Davis Cup team has the statistics in their favor, as they have prevailed in 10 out of the 16 previous confrontations against the Spanish team. (D)