Without their superstar Rafael Nadal, the Spanish Davis Cup team will be fighting hosts and defending champions France in Lille on Friday for their tenth place in the final.
The 32-year-old superstar had to cancel due to his chronic knee problems that occurred again at the US Open.
“Without Nadal coming here, everything changes for us,” Spanish team boss Sergi Bruguera said: “The French are now the clear favourites. However, his opponent Yannick Noah did not want to know anything about his team’s clear superiority in the semi-finals. “Of course, the conditions are different now. But on paper, Spain still have the better team.”
The five-time Davis Cup winner Spain, who defeated Germany 3-2 in the quarter-finals, last won the Nations’ Cup in 2011, while France had beaten Belgium 3-2 in last year’s final and won their tenth title. In the second semi-final Croatia will receive the USA in Zadar for sixth in the world rankings, Marin Cilic. The Croatians have all won the four previous duels of both nations.
The Davis Cup, which has been held since 1900, will be played for the last time this season in the old mode with home matches as well as over four singles and one double. Instead of four rounds spread over the calendar year in the world group and a system with promotion and relegation, 18 teams will play for the coveted team trophy in a one-week tournament in the second half of November starting in 2019.