Nadal To Open Spain's Davis Cup Tie | Thebigtip

Spain have announced that world number two Rafael Nadal will play in the opening rubber of their Davis Cup semi-final on Friday against France.

The side's face off on the clay in Cordoba at the weekend and Spain they will be looking to progress to the final after losing their title last year having won in both 2008 and 2009. Those following the sports betting online will be wondering if they can do it.

Nadal's participation had been in doubt following his loss to Novak Djokovic in the US Open final on Monday. However, he immediately flew back to Spain saying he still felt physically and mentally and fresh and is looking forward to his side's bid for a third title in four years.

Nadal will face Roland Gasquet in the opening match of the tie and is joined in the side by David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez. Fans of mobile sports betting will be expecting a close contest.

The 25-year-old has beaten Gasquet in all nine of their previous encounters on the ATP Tour but this will be the pair's first meeting on the international stage.

France lost to Serbian last year's Davis Cup final in 2010 and have announced a strong line-up with Gilles Simon due to take part in the second singles against Ferrer while Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will play Lopez and Verdasco in Saturday's doubles.

With the tie being played on clay and with the presence of Nadal, Spain are the clear favourites for the match and are expected to advance to December's final against either Serbia or Argentina.