Nadal absence pleases Mancini

Nov 11, 2008 - 12:52 AM By PA SportsTicker

Argentina captain Alberto Mancini accepts the absence of Spain's Rafael Nadal for the Davis Cup final as "good news" for the South Americans.

The world No. 1 has pulled out of the Spanish team as he believes he will not recover from the fatigue and tendinitis problems that forced him to withdraw from this week's Masters Cup.

"I am sorry for him, but this is good news for us," Mancini said. "Spain are not the same with Nadal than without him."

Argentina are looking to claim its first Davis Cup title after finishing as runners-up in 1981 and 2006, and Mancini told Radio Continental its chances have increased a lot.

"I am sorry because Argentinian fans want to see Rafa live, but it is also true that all Argentinians want to win the Davis Cup," he said.

"Because of that, I think this is good news and our chances have gone up."