DAVIS CUP Semifinals

Davis Cup Team Nominations Announced

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal will represent Spain in the Davis Cup semifinals against defending champion U.S. when the two nations face off from September 19-21 in Madrid. The Mallorcan will be joined in the line-up by No. 5 David Ferrer.
While the American contingent features members of its winning team in World No. 8 Andy Roddick and the top doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan, it introduces 20-year-old Sam Querrey, who steps in as a replacement for James Blake.
Captain Patrick McEnroe said in a statement: "James is just physically and mentally exhausted after a grueling summer. He said he needed a break and we respect that. This is also a great opportunity for Sam, who has had a solid year, strong results on clay and has been a loyal practice partner for this team."
In the other semifinal, to be played in Buenos Aires, World No. 7 David Nalbandian and 19-year-old Juan Martin del Potro head up the Argentine charge against Russia.Nikolay Davydenko, currently No. 5 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, will attempt to take Russia back into the final for the third straight year.
In addition to the World Group semifinals that weekend, eight ties will be played with the winners advancing into the 2009 World Group and the losers going into Group I. Top 10 players Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka will both play for Switzerland in its tie against Belgium, US Open finalist Andy Murray will represent Great Britain against Austria, and bronze medalist Novak Djokovic will lead Serbia against the Slovak Republic.