Rafael Nadal will lead Spain into fight when they take on France in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup on September 16-18.The world number two skip the quarter-final victory over United States in July but will bolster Captain Albert Costa's side in Cordoba.
David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco total the team, who are look to regain the cup they won in 2008 and 2009.France captain Guy Forget has chosen a strong team with Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet his chosen quartet.
All four are currently ranked in the world's top 13 in singles play. Spain and France have met seven times in the Davis Cup, with Spain winning five times and losing twice. They have chosen their favorite clay as the court surface. Other semi sees holders Serbia host Argentina on an indoor hardcourt in Belgrade.
That tie will see world number one Novak Djokovic go up against Argentine number one Juan Martin Del Potro.US Open quarter-finalist Janko Tipsarevic, Viktor Troicki and double specialist Nenad Zimonjic make up the Serb side. Argentina's team is over by Juan Ignacio Chela, Juan Monaco and David Nalbandian.
In the World Group play-offs, Swiss star Roger Federer is set to make the long trip to Sydney to face Australia on grass. The match will potentially come just five days after a US Open final look by Federer. If he does make the trip, Federer is likely to come up against old foe Lleyton Hewitt, who has been named in the hosts' squad by Captain Pat Rafter.