Nadal, Roddick injuries cloud Cup quarters

MADRID: Injury-stricken Rafael Nadal and Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick will be among the big names forced to miss the Davis Cup World Group quarterfinals starting on Friday.

Nadal, who has lost his French Open and Wimbledon titles and his No 1 ranking to Roger Federer in the past month, is unable to turn out for champions Spain against Germany in Marbella due to his ailing knees.

Spain are also without David Ferrer, who has a muscle strain and has been replaced by former world No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, while a hip injury has forced Roddick's withdrawal from the US squad to face Croatia in Porec.