Nadal to lead off for Spain in Davis Cup

MADRID, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Spain will call on world No. 1 Rafael Nadal as its leadoff player in the Davis Cup semifinals against the United States.

Spanish captain Emilio Sanchez tabbed Nadal, who has the French Open title, Wimbledon championship and Olympic gold medal on his resume this year, to take the court in the first of Friday's two singles matches.

Nadal will go against Sam Querrey, ranked 39th in the world, in the opener of the best-of-five series. Nadal has won both of his previous matches against Querrey, including a tough four-set battle at the U.S. Open.

The second singles match has American Andy Roddick, No. 8 in the world, against fifth-ranked David Ferrer. Ferrer has a 3-2 career edge on Roddick, including straight-set wins in their last two meetings.

The Davis Cup semifinals are set for a clay court in Madrid.

The teams Saturday have a doubles match in which the United States sends Mike Bryan and Mardy Fish against Spain's Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco. Sunday's schedule calls for reverse singles with Roddick going against Nadal and Querrey playing Ferrer.

The U.S.-Spain winner advances to November's Davis Cup title series against Russia or Argentina, who also play their best-of-five semifinal this weekend. The United States is the defending Davis Cup champion.