MADRID (AP) -Fernando Verdasco is ready to carry the weight of expectation for Spain when the Davis Cup holder faces Germany in the quarterfinals without Rafael Nadal.
Knee tendinitis has ruled out Nadal for the second time in three Davis Cup contests, with the four-time French Open champion having missed the final triumph in Argentina with a similar injury.
Captain Albert Costa has put his faith in Verdasco, who opens against the untested Andreas Beck on the outdoor clay on Friday for the first of three scheduled matches.
"It's going to be hard if I play three matches but I think I'm ready for this. If the captain needs me," Verdasco said on Thursday. "I will play for sure. It's not a problem."
With Nadal out of action in November, Verdasco stepped in to secure the winning point for Spain at Mar del Plata. Since then, Verdasco has reached the Australian Open semifinal and risen to No. 9 in the rankings.
"It was a big experience for me and that gave me a lot of confidence," Verdasco said. "Now I see everything with another mentality."
The 23-year-old Beck will be making his Davis Cup debut in front of 12,000 fans at the Puerto Banus bullring.
"I'm very excited and I'm also already nervous. It's the best feeling for me in my young career," said Beck, who had been hoping to play second so he could get a chance to size up the arena.
Germany captain Patrick Kuhnen is hoping the 51st-ranked Beck can spring a surprise against the Spanish, who haven't lost on home soil since a first round defeat to Brazil in 1999 - a stretch of 15 contests.
"I think the time is right for Andreas to come out and play his first Davis Cup mach. He's done very good in the last few weeks and months, he's had good results on clay as well," Kuhnen said. "He is a player I think can rise to the occasion."
Tommy Robredo will play Philipp Kohlschreiber in Friday's second singles rubber after filling in for teammate David Ferrer after the Spaniard pulled out with a muscle strain.
In Saturday's doubles, Verdasco returns to partner Feliciano Lopez against Nicolas Kiefer and Mischa Zverev before Sunday's reverse singles play.
Spain also knocked Germany out of the competition at the same point last year.
