Nadal to miss Davis Cup tie

Madrid - Five-time Davis Cup winners Spain will be without 13-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal and world number three David Ferrer for their Davis Cup tie away to Germany later this month.

Nadal returned to Davis Cup action for the first time in nearly two years in November to ensure hs country remained in the World Group with a 5-0 thrashing of Ukraine in Madrid.

However, the 27-year-old, who faces Grigor Dimitrov in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Wednesday, has decided not to add the first round tie to his hectic schedule.

Veterans Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco will lead the side, whilst Roberto Bautista, who caused one of the surprises of the tournament by beating Juan Martin del Potro in Australia last week, and doubles specialist David Marrero make their debuts.

The Germans will be able to call on their best available side for the tie on the hard courts of Frankfurt as world number 12 Tommy Haas makes his return to the competition after a two-year absence.