Nadal to face Belgium's Bemelmans in Davis Cup match
CHARLEROI, Belgium -- Top-ranked Rafael Nadal will play Ruben Bemelmans on Friday's opening day of the Davis Cup World Group match between Spain and Belgium.
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Sixth-seeded David Ferrer will play the opening match for Spain against Xavier Malisse on Friday on the hard court of the 6,500-capacity Spiroudome in southern Charleroi. The 51st-ranked Malisse is the only Belgian player ranked in the top 100, while Spain has three in the top 10, including No. 9 Fernando Verdasco.
Bemelmans is ranked 144th in the world and lost in straight sets to Nadal last year in Bangkok. Nadal is playing his first top-level match since injuring his thigh at the Australian Open.
Doubles are set for Saturday and reverse singles for Sunday. In 2003, Spain beat Belgium 5-0.
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