Nadal called up for Davis Cup quarter-final against Germany

World No. 2 tennis player Rafael Nadal has joined the Spanish national tennis team ahead of the Davis Cup quarter-final against Germany, Spain captain Sergi Bruguera announced here on Tuesday.

Nadal, who has been injured since the Australian Open in January, will play alongside Roberto Bautista, Pablo Carreño, Feliciano Lopez and David Ferrer in the matches scheduled for April 6-8 at the iconic Plaza de Toros de Valencia.

"Rafa is getting better, coming out of his injury and training more. There's still a week and a half to start the games, and there's time," Bruguera said.

Whichever team wins the duel in Valencia is to then face the victor of the France-Italy quarter-final, in which current champion France is to be hosted by Italy in Genoa.

Spain managed to win the first round of the World Group 3-1 against Great Britain in Marbella, Spain, with Albert Ramos instead of Nadal.

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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