Intro:

Spain still considered favourites for Davis Cup tie against USA in Gijon, Spain, despite not having Rafa Nadal due to knee injury.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) David Ferrer, Spain:
"The USA team - they (have) very good players. They have John Isner and Sam Querrey - they can play very well (on) clay court. In doubles, the couple of Bryan (the Bryan brothers) - they are number one of the world so it is a very complete team."

SOUNDBITE (English) Sam Querrey, USA:
"He (Rafa Nadal) is probably the best player ever on clay so it definitely helps our team that we don't have to play him but (David) Ferrer and (Nicolas) Almagro are both excellent, excellent players and it is going to be very tough to beat them."

SOUNDBITE (English) Jim Courier, USA captain:
"When you come to play a country, you want to play the best that they have and Rafa (Nadal) has been the best for sure for Spain. But the Spanish team, as John (Isner) said is so deep. They have so many great players to choose from and for us it is going to be very difficult no matter Rafa is here or not. But we hope that he will be back playing soon."

SOUNDBITE (English) John Isner, USA:
"It is certainly going to be a tough one. We are playing against the champions - what is it two of the last three years? So Spain is the best tennis country in the world and they are so deep. I don't think that we are the favourites. But we are definitely not scared."

SOUNDBITE (English) Bob Bryan, USA:
"Spain has a lot of great doubles players on their squad. (Marcel) Granollers is top 15 in the world now. Little Marc Lopez is top 10 so Spain has a lot of player they can use. Feliciano Lopez has a big lefty serve and we have played him many times and he has given us a lot of trouble."