Injuries, absentees hit Davis Cup last eight ties

PARIS, Apr 3 (AFP): Injuries and unavailability have played havoc with the Davis Cup quarter-finals starting on Friday with two-time defending champions the Czech Republic up against it away to Japan.

The Czechs will be without star player and world number five Tomas Berdych, who opted out of playing to take a well-earned rest from the competition.

That leaves 40th-ranked Lukas Rosol as their lead singles player with backup from veteran campaigner Radek Stepanek. That briefly installed the Japanese as favourites to continue their giant-killing run, but it ended with the news their number one player, Kei Nishikori was out with a groin strain, an injury that forced him to forfeit in the semi-finals of the Miami Masters last weekend after defeating Roger Federer.

Team coach Minoru Ueda tried to remain upbeat despite having his worst fears confirmed.