Nadal set for Swiss role

/ Editor / 07 February 2007 / Leave a Comment

Rafael Nadal says he is fully fit and raring to go as Spain take on Switzerland in the Davis Cup at the weekend.

The world number two picked up a leg injury in his Australian Open straight sets quarter-final defeat to Fernando Gonzalez and there were fears in the Spanish camp that he would not be fit for the tie in Geneva.

However the talented left-hander has declared himself ready to play and looking forward to facing a Swiss side without world number one Roger Federer, who made it clear last November that he would not be available for the tie.

"I'm fine. I'm 100% good and I was practicing over the last week in Majorca," he said. "For us it's maybe better if Federer is not here.

"I know if Federer were here it would be better for the show. With Federer it would be worse but without him it's going to be tough too.

"For me one of my goals always is the Davis Cup. For me it's a very special competition, it's one of my favourites."

The Spanish team also includes David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez, and they will face the likes of Stanislas Wawrinka, Marco Chiudinelli, Yves Allegro and Stephane Bohli in the opening tie of the 2007 campaign.

Without Federer, the Swiss are outsiders to progress from the tie and are trading at 3.4 to beat Spain, who are on offer at 1.35, while Switzerland are 26 to win the whole tournament, with the Spanish available at 8.2.

In the emerging market Argentina trade as the 5.1 favourites to win the Davis Cup this year with the defending champion Russians at 8.4.