Rafael Nadal's pull-out from the opening singles became a case of intrigue by late Friday night following varied statements from his team-mates.
Amidst the rumours of Nadal being infected with a stomach bug, his team-mate Feliciano Lopez clarified that it was the 14-time Grand Slam winners' troublesome wrists that prevented him from participating in the opening rubber and that he was prepared the whole week to play in the opening singles.
However, later in the evening, David Ferrer and captain Conchita Martinez came up with contrasting statement. "He had a stomach ache after lunch. He was not feeling too well and we didn't want to risk it. He is being taken care of by the doctor and it all depends on how he recovers. We will work with the doctor and only tomorrow we will know if he will be playing the doubles," Martinez told reporters after David Ferrer demolished Saketh Myneni to give his side 2-0 lead.
Thousands had packed the R K Khanna stadium in the hope of seeing Nadal play only to return disappointed.
Myneni hoped to put up an improved performance with Leander Paes in the doubles on Saturday to keep India alive in the tie.
"It was a bad day but we have to put this behind. The plan is to play tomorrow with Leander Paes. I hope to help Paes, he is such an experienced guy and the biggest name. Hopefully it would be a better day tomorrow," said Myneni.
Ferrer said the hard work of last week paid off for him. "I think this week I had good practice and I could play my game and it helped me today. I could play with intensity and consistently in this humid conditions."
Lopez was gracious in victory. "Ram is a great guy with a big heart. He has a great future. It's good for India that you have such players who are developing to become better player.
Ram felt he could have done better. "I thought I played well. It was a matter of couple of points here and there. I could have done better in the fourth set and could have stayed close."![]( "Spain's Rafael Nadal gives autographs to his fans during the Davis Cup World Group Play off tie between India and Spain in New Delhi on Friday. PTI Photo")
Rafael Nadal’s pull-out from the opening singles became a case of intrigue by late Friday night following varied statements from his team-mates.
Amidst the rumours of Nadal being infected with a stomach bug, his team-mate Feliciano Lopez clarified that it was the 14-time Grand Slam winners’ troublesome wrists that prevented him from participating in the opening rubber and that he was prepared the whole week to play in the opening singles.
However, later in the evening, David Ferrer and captain Conchita Martinez came up with contrasting statement. "He had a stomach ache after lunch. He was not feeling too well and we didn’t want to risk it. He is being taken care of by the doctor and it all depends on how he recovers. We will work with the doctor and only tomorrow we will know if he will be playing the doubles,” Martinez told reporters after David Ferrer demolished Saketh Myneni to give his side 2-0 lead.
Thousands had packed the R K Khanna stadium in the hope of seeing Nadal play only to return disappointed.
Myneni hoped to put up an improved performance with Leander Paes in the doubles on Saturday to keep India alive in the tie.
"It was a bad day but we have to put this behind. The plan is to play tomorrow with Leander Paes. I hope to help Paes, he is such an experienced guy and the biggest name. Hopefully it would be a better day tomorrow,” said Myneni.
Ferrer said the hard work of last week paid off for him. "I think this week I had good practice and I could play my game and it helped me today. I could play with intensity and consistently in this humid conditions.”
Lopez was gracious in victory. "Ram is a great guy with a big heart. He has a great future. It’s good for India that you have such players who are developing to become better player.
Ram felt he could have done better. "I thought I played well. It was a matter of couple of points here and there. I could have done better in the fourth set and could have stayed close.”
Amidst the rumours of Nadal being infected with a stomach bug, his team-mate Feliciano Lopez clarified that it was the 14-time Grand Slam winners' troublesome wrists that prevented him from participating in the opening rubber and that he was prepared the whole week to play in the opening singles.
However, later in the evening, David Ferrer and captain Conchita Martinez came up with contrasting statement. "He had a stomach ache after lunch. He was not feeling too well and we didn't want to risk it. He is being taken care of by the doctor and it all depends on how he recovers. We will work with the doctor and only tomorrow we will know if he will be playing the doubles," Martinez told reporters after David Ferrer demolished Saketh Myneni to give his side 2-0 lead.
Thousands had packed the R K Khanna stadium in the hope of seeing Nadal play only to return disappointed.
Myneni hoped to put up an improved performance with Leander Paes in the doubles on Saturday to keep India alive in the tie.
"It was a bad day but we have to put this behind. The plan is to play tomorrow with Leander Paes. I hope to help Paes, he is such an experienced guy and the biggest name. Hopefully it would be a better day tomorrow," said Myneni.
Ferrer said the hard work of last week paid off for him. "I think this week I had good practice and I could play my game and it helped me today. I could play with intensity and consistently in this humid conditions."
Lopez was gracious in victory. "Ram is a great guy with a big heart. He has a great future. It's good for India that you have such players who are developing to become better player.
Ram felt he could have done better. "I thought I played well. It was a matter of couple of points here and there. I could have done better in the fourth set and could have stayed close."
Rafael Nadal’s pull-out from the opening singles became a case of intrigue by late Friday night following varied statements from his team-mates.Amidst the rumours of Nadal being infected with a stomach bug, his team-mate Feliciano Lopez clarified that it was the 14-time Grand Slam winners’ troublesome wrists that prevented him from participating in the opening rubber and that he was prepared the whole week to play in the opening singles.
However, later in the evening, David Ferrer and captain Conchita Martinez came up with contrasting statement. "He had a stomach ache after lunch. He was not feeling too well and we didn’t want to risk it. He is being taken care of by the doctor and it all depends on how he recovers. We will work with the doctor and only tomorrow we will know if he will be playing the doubles,” Martinez told reporters after David Ferrer demolished Saketh Myneni to give his side 2-0 lead.
Thousands had packed the R K Khanna stadium in the hope of seeing Nadal play only to return disappointed.
Myneni hoped to put up an improved performance with Leander Paes in the doubles on Saturday to keep India alive in the tie.
"It was a bad day but we have to put this behind. The plan is to play tomorrow with Leander Paes. I hope to help Paes, he is such an experienced guy and the biggest name. Hopefully it would be a better day tomorrow,” said Myneni.
Ferrer said the hard work of last week paid off for him. "I think this week I had good practice and I could play my game and it helped me today. I could play with intensity and consistently in this humid conditions.”
Lopez was gracious in victory. "Ram is a great guy with a big heart. He has a great future. It’s good for India that you have such players who are developing to become better player.
Ram felt he could have done better. "I thought I played well. It was a matter of couple of points here and there. I could have done better in the fourth set and could have stayed close.”