Spain to open Davis Cup without Rafael Nadal

French Open champ Rafael Nadal hasn't played since crashing out in the second round of Wimbledon.

Thomas Lovelock/SI

MADRID (AP) -- Spain will open the Davis Cup against Canada without injured star Rafael Nadal or regular member David Ferrer.

No. 11-ranked Nicolas Almagro will lead Spain in the first-round match in Vancouver on Feb. 1-3.

Spain captain Alex Corretja has also called on doubles team Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez, while 51st-ranked Albert Ramos will make his debut for the national team.

Nadal hasn't played since June because of tendinitis in his left knee.

With Nadal out, Ferrer led the five-time champions to last year's final, where Spain lost to Czech Republic.

Canada will be led by 15th-ranked Milos Raonic.

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