Spain favored over Israel in Davis Cup

MURCIA, Spain, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- David Ferrer will lead off for defending champion Spain in a Davis Cup semifinal against Israel this weekend on a red clay court in Murcia, Spain.

Ferrer, ranked 19th in the world, goes against Israel's Harel Levy, who is ranked 140th, in the first match Friday in the best-of-five series in Murcia.

World No. 21 Juan Carlos Ferrero is paired against 29th-ranked Dudi Sela from Israel in Friday's other singles match.

Saturday's schedule has a doubles match with Israelis Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram playing Spain's Feliciano Lopez and Tommy Robredo. Reverse singles, with Levy facing Ferrero and Sela playing Ferrer, are set for Sunday.

The winner of the series moves into the Davis Cup title match against the winner of a series Friday-Sunday between Croatia and the Czech Republic. The finals are scheduled for Dec. 4-6.

Spain is the heavy favorite over the Israeli team even without Top 10 players Rafael Nadal (No. 2) and Fernando Verdasco (No. 9) -- both out with injuries. The Spaniards own a 16-match winning streak at home.

Spain won its third Davis Cup championship last year, beating Argentina in the finals. Israel is making its first appearance in a Davis Cup semifinal.