9/12/09 6:40 PM | Johan Lindahl
The abdominal strain which is bothering Rafael Nadal as he waits out the weather at the US Open has resulted in the Spaniard withdrawing form next week's Davis Cup semi-final against Israel.
Spanish officials said the world number three will be replaced by Juan Carlos Ferrero for the September 18-20 tie on clay in Murcia.
Nadal has been carrying his abdominal problem for the past month since returning to tennis following time off ordered by doctors to rest fragile knees.
Once rain began clogging the US Open schedule this week, it appeared more and more certain that the Davis Cup weekend would become unattainable for Nadal.
Spain's squad will now be comprised of Ferrero, David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez. The nation is also missing Fernando Verdasco, treating foot and abdominal injuries. The Spain-Israel winner will play the December final against either Croatia or the Czech Republic.
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