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Stands packed to the rafters at the RK Khanna stadium on Friday evening were in for an unwelcome surprise. The man theyd turned out to watch - Rafa Nadal - wasnt on court. The tie had been robbed of its blockbuster opening.The surprise, however, soon gave way to mystery and a deepening sense of intrigue with the Spanish team members offering conflicting versions for Nadals absence. An apparent stomach upset was the initial theory floating behind the no-show. Its Delhi belly, was the word that got around.Spains third-best singles player in the team, No 26-ranked Feliciano Lopez was instead fielded in the first singles rubber against Ramkumar Ramanathan. Nadal himself was seated alongside the rest of the Spanish team on the sidelines during the match, flashing a quick thumbs up and a wave turning the crowd delirious.While Lopez listed Nadals much-suspect left wrist injury as the reason for the pullout, teammate David Ferrer and non-playing captain Conchita Martinez blamed it on a stomach ache he picked up after Fridays practice.After todays (Friday) practice, he had a bit of a stomach ache and didnt want to risk it because of the weather, Martinez said, before adding, His wrist has been doing well and hes been practising all week. His stomach issue was the reason he didnt play today.Its possible that the whole truth does not lie in either of the versions.What, however, could prove to be the giveaway among the conflicting reasons proffered is Lopezs admission that the team knew right through the week that Rafa might not play on the opening day.We knew during the week that I might have to play instead of Rafa, he said, He has been struggling with a wrist injury since the last 2-3 months and didnt want to take a risk so he spoke to the captain on the matter.His injured left wrist had forced him to withdraw from the French Open after winning his first two matches in straight sets, and the Queens Club, before pulling out of Wimbledon. His loss to Frances Lucas Pouille at the US Open this year meant that this was the first time since 2004 that the 30 year-old has failed to make a Grand Slam quarterfinal.Rafas brute style of play has been harsh on his body, adding more miles to it than most players probably do in their entire careers. We spoke last (Thursday) night about it and till then it was not decided that Rafa wouldnt play, Lopez added, His wrist is getting better but hes playing with pain.Lopez though hinted that the world No 4 might play the doubles rubber on Sunday, along with Marc Lopez. The duo finished with a gold medal at the Rio Olympics last month. Rafa might play tomorrow (Saturday). It could either be Rafa and Marc or Marc and me. We are confident that he will play during the weekend, he said.That would be one prayer both India and Spain will share. J.A. Happ Yankees Jersey . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Joe Torre Jersey .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. https://www.cheapyankees.com/501g-tyler-wade-jersey-yankees.html . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Giancarlo Stanton Jersey . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Jordan Montgomery Yankees Jersey . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. DETROIT -- Boxing star Claressa Shields says shes still weighing her options about whether to turn pro.The two-time Olympic gold medalist threw out the ceremonial first pitch Monday night when the Detroit Tigers hosted the Minnesota Twins. Shields, a Flint native, won her second gold at this years Rio Olympics.Its not clear what the future holds now. She said shed like to have the best of both worlds if a rule change allows womenns boxers to turn pro and still fight in the Olympics.ddddddddddddShields said she hopes her success brings attention to the water crisis and poverty level in Flint.People will see that even though that I came from Flint, look at where I am now, she said. I hope that it gives those kids in Flint hope. ' ' '