Israel keen to capitalise on Nadal absence
Croatia host Czechs in Porec
The absence of injured Spanish duo Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco has given surprise package Israel hope of sneaking a shock win in their Davis Cup World Group semi-final starting today.
Israel have already surpassed expectations by reaching the last four for the first time but champions Spain have won their last 16 home ties and even without their two leading players, are favourites to meet Croatia or the Czech Republic in the final.
"Had Nadal played he certainly would have won both his matches but nevertheless every one of their players is better than us on paper," doubles specialist Andy Ram said ahead of the tie being played on clay.
Croatia, who host the Czechs in Porec, have also opted to play their tie on clay as they seek a repeat of their 2005 triumph and will be boosted by the run of Marin Cilic to the quarter-finals of last week's US Open.
Spain captain Albert Costa said his side would not be taking the Israelis lightly after they stunned two former champions in previous rounds.
"Of course, playing at home we are favourites," Costa said at a resort near Murcia in southern Spain where the three-day tie is being contested.
"But I can only reiterate that we have to be very careful and really work hard to beat Israel, who are in the semis having knocked out Russia and Sweden," he added.
Nadal reached the last four in New York before falling to eventual champion Juan Martin del Potro but stomach muscle problems forced his withdrawal from the Davis Cup and he has been replaced by Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Verdasco lost to Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals but has been hampered by a foot injury.
David Ferrer won one and lost one of his two previous meetings with Israel's Dudi Sela, both on hard court, while Tommy Robredo has lost all three of his matches against Sela, although they have not faced each other on clay.
Croatian captain Goran Prpic said he expected his team to punch above their weight against the Czechs, who will be relying on Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych to give them the advantage in the singles.
"The Czech players have better (ATP) ranking than our players, but it is just figures," Prpic said.
The game in the northern Adriatic town of Porec will be played indoors, like the two ties Croatia won this year against Chile and the United States.
Cilic will play singles against big-serving Wimbledon quarter-finalist Ivo Karlovic.