Bruguera confident Nadal ready for Davis Cup after injury absence

Spain's Davis Cup team captain Sergi Bruguera on Wednesday said he was confident Rafael Nadal would return to competitive action in two days' time, when Spain hosts Germany in the quarterfinals of the international men's team tournament.

World No. 1 Nadal has not played an official match since January, when a hip injury forced him to withdraw from the Australian Open quarterfinal against Croatia's Marin Cilic, reports Efe.

"Rafa is training well. Very strongly and with confidence. He is healthy," Bruguera said at a press conference.

Bruguera, a two-time French Open champion, said fellow Spain teammate Feliciano Lopez had recovered from a fever, which kept him from taking part in any training sessions in Valencia until Wednesday.

"Today he has risen well, with enthusiasm, energy and is already training," Bruguera said.

Bruguera stressed it would be difficult to beat Germany with Alexander Zverev leading its team.

"Zverev is world No. 4. He was a finalist in Miami and a winner in Rome. He is a great competitor," Spain's team captain said.

Five-time Davis Cup champion Spain is to play Germany in Valencia April 6-8 for a place in the competition's semifinals.

Spain has 26 consecutive victories at home, having not lost since 1999 against Brazil, and is only two away from equalling the all-time record of 28 straight home wins set by Italy in 1949.

--IANS

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