Nadal back for Cup final

World number two to lead Spain against Czechs in Davis Cup

Last updated: 16th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Nadal back for Cup final

Nadal: back for Spain

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Rafael Nadal will lead Spain in next month's Davis Cup final against Czech Republic in Barcelona.

The world number two missed last year's victory over Argentina due to a knee injury, and while he returned to face Serbia in the first round earlier this year, he skipped later rounds due to further knee and rib problems.

Nadal is likely to be joined in the singles by David Ferrer while Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez are set to remain partners in the doubles.

However, with Ferrer battling with a hamstring injury, Verdasco could step in for the singles as he did in last year's final.

"This series is by no means already won," captain Albert Costa said. "We'll need to fight and we'll need the help of the fans. It's going to be a difficult tie."

Czech captain Jaroslav Navratil has already confirmed he will keep faith with the team that beat Croatia in the semi-finals, consisting of Tomas Berdych, Radek Stepanek, Jan Hajek and Lukas Dlouhy.

Spain lead the head-to-head series between the two countries with a 3-2 record, with the Czechs looking to secure their first Davis Cup since the former Czechoslovakia won in 1980.

The best-of-five series will be played on indoor clay at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, from December 4-6.