Marcel Granollers has been announced as the surprise replacement for the injured Rafael Nadal in the Spanish Davis Cup team.

56th ranked Granollers was chosen after Tommy Robredo, Carlos Moya and Nicolas Almagro declined invitations to appear in the 2008 Davis Cup final, citing fatigue. Santiago Ventura will join the Spanish Davis Cup side as a reserve player.

“Granollers has huge potential and a great future in front of him and is capable of playing singles and doubles. It will be a great experience for him,” Spanish team captain Emilio Sanchez-Vicario was quoted as saying by Reuters.

The Spanish Davis Cup team will depart for Argentina next week, with David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco all scheduled to make the trip.

“We leave for Argentina on Thursday with a motivated group. It’s disappointing Nadal cannot be with us but we shouldn’t talk about him any more from now on,” Sanchez-Vicario told a news conference.

Argentina, meanwhile, have confirmed their team ahead of the 2008 Davis Cup final. Juan Martin del Potro, David Nalbandian, Jose Acasuso and Agustin Calleri will line up for the home side, led by Alberto Mancini.