Without Nadal, Federer, Spain faces Switzerland

LOGRONO, Spain (AP) -Spain without Rafael Nadal is favored against Switzerland without Roger Federer when they meet in the Davis Cup on Friday.

A knee injury is sidelining Nadal, while Federer ruled himself out because of scheduling.

The teams meet on clay under the roof of the 11,000-capacity bullring in the northern city of Logrono. Spain hasn't lost at home in 18 ties since 1999.

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With Juan Carlos Ferrero also out with injury, Spain will go with David Ferrer, Nicolas Almagro, Tommy Robredo and Marcel Granollers.

Stanislas Wawrinka, Marco Chiudinelli, Michael Lammer and Yves Allegro will represent Switzerland.

In opening singles Friday, Almagro will play Wawrinka and Ferrer will face Chiudinelli. On Saturday, Robredo and Granollers have been drawn to meet Wawrinka and Allegro in the doubles. Sunday's reverse singles will be Ferrer vs. Wawrinka and Almagro vs. Chiudinelli.

Spain captain Albert Costa was confident his team's depth of talent will prove decisive as it seeks a third consecutive Davis Cup title.

"We're favorites because we are playing at home, but to be favorite you have to show it on the court," he said. "We have four massive players in whom I have blind faith."

Spain leads Switzerland 4-1 overall, with the most recent victory in 2007.

Switzerland's best Davis Cup effort was an appearance in the 1992 final.

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