Nadal out to prove fitness in Davis Cup tie

Spaniard in line for first appearance since hobbling out of Australian Open in January due to hip injury

PARIS: Rafael Nadal faces a potentially season-defining Davis Cup weekend as the 16-time Grand Slam champion returns for his first appearance since hobbling out of the Australian Open in January with a crippling hip injury.

The 31-year-old Nadal leads Spain into a home quarter-final against Germany at Valencia's iconic Plaza de Toros bullring, boasting a remarkable record in the tournament.

He is on a 22-match winning streak in singles with his only loss coming on debut for five-time champions Spain back in 2004.

However, it's recent history which now concerns Nadal.

He may be back at world number one, but Nadal is far from fully recovered from the hip problem which forced him to sit out the Indian Wells and Miami Masters.

"It's been a tough few months," admitted Nadal, ahead of a Davis Cup tie which will see him go toe-to-toe with Germany's Alexander Zverev, the world number four widely seen as heir apparent to the great Spaniard. "But I am excited to be back — hopefully it will be a positive week for me."

Coach and long-time friend Carlos Moya urged fans to be patient as Nadal plots his European spring campaign which, if all goes to script, will see him clinch an 11th French Open in June.

"He is not at 100% yet, but if he can win a match or two, it can help him," said Moya.

Spain boast three top 20 players in their line-up — Nadal, number 12 Pablo Carreno Busta and 17th-ranked Roberto Bautista Agut.

Germany, bidding to make the semi-finals for the first time in 11 years, will rely for singles points on Zverev, playing just his fourth Davis Cup tie, and veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Spain also have form on their side — they have won 26 straight home ties, with their last defeat on Spanish soil coming against Brazil in 1999.

Defending champions France go to Genoa to tackle Italy who are contesting their 250th Davis Cup tie.

France, the 10-time winners, have two top 30 players in Lucas Pouille, ranked at 11, and Adrian Mannarino, the world 25.

But the French are missing injured Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils while Italy, champions way back in 1976, can count on the combustible Fabio Fognini for his dedication to the flag.

In Nashville, meanwhile, 32-time champions the United States will hope Miami champion John Isner, now at nine in the world, can take them into the semi-finals for the first time in six years.

The US tackle last year's runners-up Belgium who are without world number 10 David Goffin after he suffered a freak eye injury in Rotterdam in February.

While the Americans can boast Isner, 14th-ranked Sam Querrey as well as number 16 Jack Sock, the luckless Belgians will pin hopes on Ruben Bemelmans, the world 110 and 319th-ranked Joris de Loore.

The winner of that tie will face either 2005 champions Croatia or Kazakhstan for a place in the final.