Spain and France will make a start to their Davis Cup World Group semi-final
fixture today in Cordoba

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Rafael Nadal will kick-start Spain’s Davis Cup World Group semi-final fixture with France today by contesting a singles matchup against Richard Gasquet. The world No. 2 will be ready to get an early win notched up for his nation, and his recent form took him to the final of the U.S Open.

Nadal doesn’t seem likely to falter against Gasquet. He currently holds a 9-0 head to head record against the world No. 15, and Gasquet has never quite managed to find an effective way to counter Nadal’s game. With this contest being played on clay, the Frenchman doesn’t seem to stand a chance.

Next up will be David Ferrer and Gilles Simon. Simon won his last match against the world No. 5, but still holds a 0-2 record against him on clay following two heavy defeats in 2007. Ferrer is a master of the clay courts, and Simon will need to be at his athletic and determined best in order to turn things around for France.

With all things considered, Spain’s team has what it takes to take a 2-0 lead into day two. Gasquet and Simon are a superb pairing, but there are very players on the tour capable of giving Nadal and Ferrer a test on clay.

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