Murcia, Spain - Substitutes David Ferrer and Juan Carlos Ferrero take defending champion Spain into Friday's opening day of the Davis Cup semi-final tie against underdog Israel in the absence of Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco.

Ferrer will open the weekend against Israeli Harel Levy, with Ferrero, back on side after being picked to end a three-year drought, facing Dudi Sela in the second rubber on clay in southern Spain.

Nadal has said on his website that even though he cannot play due to an abdominal muscle pull, he plans to be on site for the competition to support his team.

London - Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero earned his first career semi-final on grass with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 fightback over Belgian Steve Darcis Friday as the surprises continued at the Queen's club event.

Following the elimination of third seed Gilles Simon, the 29-year-old Spaniard, whose off-court interests include a successful hotel, has suddenly come alive on the lawns in the twilight of a career.