MADRID, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Spain's Rafael Nadal and Carlos Ferrero have decided to skip a first-round Davis Cup tennis match in Peru next month to prepare for the hard-court season.
They will be replaced by Nicolas Almagro and Fernando Verdasco on the clay at the Jockey Club in Lima.
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Nadal was trounced Wednesday by Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semifinals at the Australian Open in Melbourne. He also missed a 4-1 Davis Cup loss to the United States last April because of an injury.
Ferrero was beaten in the fourth round at Melboune by fellow Spaniard and teammate David Ferrer in four sets.
Spain's battle against Peru is scheduled for Feb. 8-10.
