SEVILLE, Spain, 3 December 2004 — Teenager Rafael Nadal will shoulder Spain’s Davis Cup hopes against the world’s fastest server Andy Roddick on Friday after the hosts plumped for the 18-year-old rookie above Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Former world No. 1 Ferrero, plagued by injuries and illness all year, had been widely expected to line up for Spain against the United States.

Spanish coach Jordi Arrese had other ideas, however, and dropped the bombshell at Seville’s Olympic Stadium on Thursday.

“It was certainly a surprise not to be picked,” Ferrero said. “Physically I am at 100 percent and I have had three days of good training.

“Obviously I am not jumping up and down with happiness, but you have to take things as they come.”

Nadal, who was sidelined from April to July with a stress fracture of his ankle, was equally nonplussed.

“I am surprised by this as well, considering the problems I have had,” he said. “And I am a little bit nervous which is not surprising considering a match like this.”

Roddick, too, was perplexed. “Personally, I was expecting to play Ferrero,” he said. “But at the same time, I think our team knows that they have four very capable singles players, and one of their strengths is that they do have options. You know, they can mix and match.”

Nadal’s heroics in September’s semifinal against France probably proved decisive. He carried Spain through to their third final in five years with an assured straight sets victory over Arnaud Clement.

Today’s other singles will pit Carlos Moya against Olympic silver medalist Mardy Fish. Moya, another former world No. 1 and claycourt specialist, will go into the match as favorite, although Fish has won two of the pair’s previous three meetings.

Nadal is due to team up with Tommy Robredo to play the Bryan twins Mike and Bob in tomorrow’s doubles with the reverse singles scheduled for Sunday.

The US have won a record 31 Davis Cup titles while Spain’s sole triumph came in 2000.

Ferrero has endured a miserable year, surrendering his French Open crown in May and battling injury and illness throughout.

He has suffered a rib injury, a bout of chickenpox, a groin strain and back pain.

His ranking has plummeted to 31st in the world from No. 1, 15 months ago and his confidence has been shattered. Arrese’s decision to plump for Nadal will not help.

Nadal, playing his first year on Davis Cup, has won two of his three singles matches and is confident of continuing his form against Roddick.