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.

Verdasco is having minor surgery on a foot and also has an abdominal problem.

In Porec, Croatia will start a bid for a first final since 2005, with big-serving Ivo Karlovic beginning play against Czech Radek Stepanek.

Croatian number one Marin Cilic will then play Tomas Berdych.

In World Group relegation ties, Novak Djokovic is missing as Serbia face Uzbekistan while Stan Wawrinka faces Andreas Seppi and Roger Federer follows against Simone Bolelli in the Swiss-Italy tie in Genoa. (dpa)