Nadal returns from injury for Davis Cup
: World No 2 Rafa Nadal has been named in Spain’s squad for their Davis Cup World Group quarter-final against Germany in Valencia next month.
The 31-year-old has not played in the competition since helping five-time winners Spain return to the top tier of world tennis with victory in India in 2016.
Nadal was named in captain Sergi Bruguera’s team alongside Pablo Carreno Busta, Roberto Bautista Agut, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez.
Nadal, 16-times Grand Slam champion, withdrew from the Australian Open in January after reaching the last eight due to an upper quad problem.
The Davis Cup quarter-finals take placeApril 6-8.
VENUS IN QUARTERS
Venus Williams upended defending champion Johanna Konta 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 on Monday to reach the Miami Open quarter-finals while a dominant Victoria Azarenka also advanced with a straightforward win over Agnieszka Radwanska.
Former world No 1 number one zarenka, in only her second event after an eight-month absence because of a custody dispute involving her son, also looked sharp throughout her 6-2, 6-2 win over 30th-seeded Pole Radwanska.
TWITTER SPAT
Fernando Verdasco got into a Twitter spat with Australian Nick Kyrgios on Monday over a since-deleted post in which the latter expressed his desire for the Spaniard to lose his third round match at the Miami Open.
Verdasco, the 31st seed, became annoyed during his 3-6 6-4 7-6(4) win over Thanasi Kokkinakis and even argued with the Australian qualifier in the deciding set when he accused his opponent’s father of talking during his serves.
MADRID MIAMI: