Lucas Pouille will lead defending champion France against Italy in the Davis Cup quarterfinals.

The 10th-ranked Pouille has been selected by France captain Yannick Noah alongside Adrian Mannarino and Jeremy Chardy. Doubles specialists Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut have also been called up.

Pouille wrapped up France's 10th Davis Cup title last year by winning the decisive point against Belgium in the final.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils have been struggling with injuries recently and were all unavailable. Gasquet, who has recovered from a knee injury, has returned to competition but Noah says a sudden switch from hard court to clay would have been too much to take.

France will travel to Italy for the best-of-five series from April 6-8.

 

Nadal to return for Spain against Germany in Davis Cup

Rafael Nadal could soon be making his return from injury after being included on Spain's team for the Davis Cup quarterfinals against Germany next month.

Nadal hasn't played since January, when a muscle injury in his left leg forced him to retire in the Australian Open quarterfinals.

Spain captain Sergi Bruguera, however, said they would see how Nadal's recovery goes before making a final decision on if he will play.

"He is getting better and about to finish his recovery, training well and in better shape," Bruguera said Tuesday after announcing his team. "We still have a week and a half to go before the series and we hope that he will be better.

"I am not going to confirm anything about any player. I won't decide my team until Thursday."

Bruguera also picked David Ferrer, Pablo Carreno, Roberto Bautista and Feliciano Lopez.

Nadal hasn't played in the Davis Cup since September 2016.

The series against Germany will be played on outdoor clay inside a bull ring in Valencia on April 6-8.