Eyes on possible Nadal return for Davis Cup final

Rafael Nadal. AP FILE PHOTO

GIJON, Spain—Spain’s entry into the Davis Cup final raised speculation Sunday over whether Rafael Nadal’s injured left knee will mend in time for him to rejoin the “Armada” to fight for a sixth title in November.

“I hope he gets better soon because he is really fundamental for us,” said David Ferrer, after beating John Isner of the United States on Sunday to take Spain to its fourth Davis Cup final in five years.

Team captain Alex Corretja avoided speculating when questioned on the likelihood of a return by November for Nadal, whose knee injury kept him out of the Olympics and the US Open this summer.

“We will monitor the players over the coming weeks, talk to all those we think appropriate, and go and see what condition they are in and then choose the players we think appropriate,” Corretja said after Sunday’s victory.

“We always hope to count on everyone and obviously Rafa is the same as everyone else,” he said.

Nadal played a key part in Spain’s last Davis Cup final win over Argentina, beating Juan Monaco and Juan Martin Del Potro in Seville in December 2011.

This year’s final is scheduled for November 16-18 with Spain having to travel to the Czech Republic.

The Czechs defeated Argentina in Buenos Aires in their semi-final.