Nadal out of Spain's Davis Cup team to play US

MADRID, Mar 27 (Reuters) World number two Rafael Nadal has been left out of Spain's Davis Cup team who travel to face the US in the quarter-finals next week.

In his place, Tommy Robredo has been called up alongside David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco.

''It wasn't a surprise to hear Nadal would not be playing, because we knew he had been having problems with his foot. It would have been a big risk and he has to consider his other commitments,'' captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario said today.

''It was a joint decision, although I did try to convince him to compete as it is a tie we can win and spring a surprise. The pressure is all on the Americans.'' Nadal was unable to play in Spain's 3-2 win over Switzerland in the first round in February because of a late injury.

The US named their team last week including Andy Roddick, James Blake and the doubles pair Bob and Mike Bryan.

The tie will be played indoors at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on April 6-8.

The winners will face either Sweden or Argentina in the semi-finals on September 21-23.

REUTERS PDS BST0055