Davis Cup:Rafael Nadal pulls out of the first rubber against India

Nadal-cheering-team
Rafael Nadal cheering Feleciano Lopes from the reserve bench during the first rubber in Davis Cup. Image Source: Xtra Time

New Delhi : Spain was dealt a blow as Rafael Nadal pulled out of the first tie due to stomach bug on Friday in the Davis Cup World Group play off tie against India.He was due to play the first singles rubber against Ramkumar Ramanathan.

Left-handed player and World No 26 in the singles ranking Feliciano Lopez replaced the former World No.1 for the rubber. However, if Nadal, the 14-time Grand Slam winner, recovers on time, he could play the reverse singles against Saketh Myneni on Sunday.

The second singles rubber will be played between India’s Saketh Myneni and world No. 13 David Ferrer. Saturday will see doubles action where Leander Paes will play for India.

India had beaten Korea 4-1 in their Asia/Oceania Group I second round tie while Spain defeated Romania with the same margin in their Europe/Africa zonal tie.

India and Spain have locked horns thrice so far in Davis Cup with the European nation leading the head-to-head record 2-1. The last time India played Spain was as far back as 1965 when they lost the away tie 2-3.

In the second rubber, Saketh Myneni will take on another Spanish star David Ferrer.The unavailability of Nadal came as a huge disappointment for a capacity crowd at the RK Khanna stadium.