Tennis | Davis Cup

Juan Carlos Ferrero © Gallo Images

Spain begin defence with new team



Spain will begin their Davis Cup defence against Kazakhstan with a new-look team that is lacking Rafael Nadal.

New captain Alex Corretja included 11th-ranked Nicolas Almagro, Marcel Granollers, former No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero and Marc Lopez in the team for the February 10-12 series.

Nadal, David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco all made themselves unavailable for the first-round matchup in Oviedo after leading Spain to their fifth title in December, over Argentina.

Almagro says he was "proud" to be included after initially saying he was uncertain whether he would return for the first time in nearly two years.

Two-time champion Ferrero last played in 2009, while Lopez will make his debut.

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