After a quick spell of showers, the court wore a spattering of red. The Spaniards had arrived. Non-playing captain Conchita Martinez was the first to walk into the court, hands resting on her hips, as she surveyed the water that enveloped her.It was already 20 minutes past the scheduled start of practice. Wipers and the sponge rollers made their way in as a battery of diligent ground staff worked to put away the water. Soon enough, sporting a bull horn logo cap, that of his academy back home in Mallorca, Rafa Nadal was pulverizing the ball at David Ferrer & Feliciano Lopez at the other end.Power, power and yet more power define Nadals shot making. With one of the fiercest topspin forehands in the game, he bludgeons each ball with the cold-heartedness of an executioner. His footwork keeps pace with his ferocity. Ferrer, at the other end, grunts as his ball leaves his racket.The finesse of Federer or Nadal-esque sheer power may not figure in Ferrers repertoire, but his will to run down each ball is exemplary. The stands at the RK Khanna stadium are thinly populated. A few curious groundsmen linger about to watch what seems to be an extraordinary spectacle. Close to 16-odd members of the Spanish team are on the sidelines, theres banter, some laughter, Nadal too joins in during water breaks. Martinez, for some parts during the session, positions herself behind Nadal, keeping close watch and making mental notes.The sheer intensity that Nadal brings to a practice session is a treat. It doesnt matter if youve not watched him at Roland Garros or other hallowed venues, to just see Nadal practice more than makes up for all the matches you couldnt watch him play.Despite the rains, the humidity was sapping. The No 13-ranked Ferrer, for one, sounded relieved that the tie, which gets underway in New Delhi on Friday, would be staged under floodlights. Its very humid here and not easy to play tennis under such conditions. In New York too it was similar, but its a lot worse here, he said, Playing in the evening works well for all of us. The Indian players too prefer it.While there was an initial sense of discontent among certain members of the Indian camp over throwing away a possible challenge that the heat could pose, they have come around to discern that brutal conditions alone wont be enough to stop the Spaniards. Also, Indian players themselves find the heat daunting.An uninspiring string of performances this season cost Ferrer a spot in the top 10, for the first time in close to six years. When asked why a Slam had eluded him thus far, the former world No 3 was rather self-deprecating. I havent won a Grand Slam because I dont deserve it, he told PTI.Having battled internal skullduggery over the past few years, the Spanish tennis federations primary concern now is a rightful spot for the five-time champions in the World Group. Spain has been languishing in the zonal competition since January 2014 after a first-round loss to Germany.With Indias highest-ranked player Saketh Myneni placed an uneviable 137th in the rankings, a full-strength Spanish side would be hoping to wrap it up in two days. Ferrer though doesnt wish to take the hosts lightly. Ive never played the Indians so I think it could be tough. But in Davis Cup you can never be sure of anything. Melvin Gordon Jersey . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Hunter Henry Jersey . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. 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OMAHA, Neb. -- Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte did their part.The longtime rivals are headed to another showdown at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.Phelps and Lochte cruised through the semifinals of the 200-meter individual medley Thursday night, each of them winning their heats in dominating fashion.It means a lot, Lochte said. Ive been racing him in this event since like 2003. Hes a tough competitor. I just love racing against him because its a challenge.This one is especially significant for Lochte, an 11-time Olympic medalist who has yet to qualify for an individual event in Rio.Slowed by a groin injury, the 31-year-old Lochte missed out in the 400 IM -- a race he won at the Olympics four years ago -- finished fourth in the 200 freestyle, and dropped out of the 200 backstroke.Though also entered in the 100 butterfly, Lochte is basically putting all his hopes on the 200 IM. A top-two finish will give him that cherished spot, but he really wants a win over Phelps in Friday nights final before they head to the Olympics.Im feeling better as far as like mentally, but physically Im getting tired, said Lochte, who at the very least will be going to Rio as a relay swimmer. Tomorrow night will definitely be a good battle between me and Michael.Lochte was the top qualifier at 1 minute, 56.71 seconds, while Phelps took the second spot in 1:57.61. That means theyll be right beside each other in the final, just as theyve been so many times during their dazzling careers.Phelps has already qualified for Rio in the 200 fly, but the most decorated athlete in Olympic history is eager to add two more individual races to his program. Hell be a big favorite in the 100 fly, a race in which Lochte doesnt figure to be a major threat.This is their only real chance to race.Him and I have gone back and forth a number of times in this race, Phelps said. During the big meets, we have great races. Were right there with each other tomorrow in the middle of the pool, probably a couple of tenths apart. Were going to be out and probably step on the gas a little bit more than we have in the past and youll have an exciting race.Missy Franklin, on the other hand, didnt even advance to the final of the 100 freestyle.Another big star from London struggled to an 11th-place showing in the semifinals, leaving her with only one individual race in Rio and just one more chance to bulk up her program: the 200 backstroke.No matter what, Franklins bubbly personality will be much less of a presence at these Summer Games than it was four years ago.That speed just doesnt feel like its quite there this meet, she said. No idea why. Its super disappointing, but I reallly feel like my endurance is there, so it gives me a lot of hope for my 200 back.ddddddddddddWhile Franklin is struggling, another Olympic gold medalist will get a chance to defend his title.Nathan Adrian, the burly 27-year-old who won the 100 freestyle in London, used a powerful finishing kick to win in 47.72 seconds. Caeleb Dressel will also get to swim the down-and-back sprint in Rio, taking the second spot at 48.23.Anthony Ervin, the oldest swimmer at the trials, got off to a blistering start and led at the turn. The 35-year-old couldnt hold on, fading to fourth in 48.54 while also touching behind Ryan Held (48.26).But the top four are assured of spots on the team for the 4x100 free relay, meaning Ervin will be headed to his third Olympics.On the fifth night of the meet, Josh Prenot became the latest Olympic rookie to make the team, knocking off Kevin Cordes in the 200 breaststroke. Cordes had already won the 100 breast and was more than a second under world-record pace at the final turn of the longer race.But Prenot, furiously bouncing up and down in the water, surged past Cordes on the final lap to win in 2 minutes, 7.17 seconds, setting an American record and finishing just off the world mark of 2:07.01 held since 2012 by Japans Akhiro Yamaguchi.Also Thursday, Cammile Adams won the 200 butterfly after being briefly disqualified once day earlier during the preliminaries. The ruling that she made an illegal turn was quickly overturned after a review provided by the underwater camera, and Adams took advantage of her second chance to win with a time of 2:06.80. Hali Flickinger took the second Olympic spot in 2:07.50.Franklin is going to her second Summer Games, but she wont be nearly as busy this time around.As a high schooler four years ago, Franklin took part in seven events, winning four golds and a bronze. At age 21, shes shaping up as one of the biggest flops of the trials, outside of a gutsy runner-up finish in the 200 free behind Katie Ledecky.At the most, Franklin will only swim three events in Rio.Phelps figures to be much busier. Hes shooting to swim three individual races, and will likely be a part of all three relays.Oh, and he celebrated his 31st birthday on Thursday.I have a bunch of friends here and my mom rented out a room, so were all going to get together and have some food, Phelps said.Then hell turn his attention to a familiar foe.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry . 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