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9/17/09 11:29 PM | Ricky Dimon
Juan Carlos Ferrero is back in the lineup for Spain after coming up big in a quarterfinal win over Germany. Ferrero, who replaces Rafael Nadal, will contest Friday's second singles rubber against Israel's Dudi Sela.
Juan Carlos Ferrero has been to the rescue once already this season for Spain, and he will attempt to do the same this weekend when the 2008 Davis Cup champions host Israel in Murcia. Ferrero won the decisive fifth rubber against Germany back in July (d. Andreas Beck in straight sets) to put Spain in the semifinals.
Having initially been kept off the semifinal squad, Ferrero got the call earlier this week when it became official that Rafael Nadal's abdominal strain would sideline the world No. 2. Not only is Ferrero now on the team, but he is also in the singles lineup, and "the Mosquito" will face Dudi Sela for the first time in his career on Friday.
At 29 years old, Ferrero is in the midst of a resurgent 2009 campaign. The former world No. 1 briefly fell out of the Top 100, but he is back up to No. 21 in the rankings thanks to consistently impressive play. He won a clay-court title in Casablanca, reached the semifinals at Queen's Club and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, and is coming off a fourth-round showing at the U.S. Open.
Sela has also been rock-solid this year and he is up to a career-high ranking of 29th in the world. Highlights include a third-round performance at the Australian Open (after going through qualifying), a semifinal finish at a 500-point in Memphis, and a surprise fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon. The 5'9'' Israeli, however, has been slowed by an ankle injury since early August. It contributed to a first-round upset loss to Kevin Kim at the U.S. Open.
In order to beat an in-form Ferrero on clay and in front of a rowdy Spanish crowd, Sela will have to be at his absolute best. Right now, that appears to be unlikely at best. Count on Ferrero keeping up his stellar play and once again taking care of business for his country. This one should be over in straight sets.
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spain and france are probably the strongest davis cup teams......they are gud enuf to win without rafa...
VAMOS
vrael , 9/18/09 7:57 AM
Ferrer won his match against Levy, and Ferrero is one set and one break up against Sela. Rafa and Nando are there cheering them on. I hope they'll be fit to play in the final. Spain has a very strong team
This guy Sela, though quite small, can really move around the court.
carrie , 9/18/09 4:02 PM
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Good luck Spain! Rafa and Nando will be there to cheer them on!
alik , 9/18/09 12:38 AM