Nadal, who last November played down suggestions that his career was in doubt because of a foot injury, had few problems in the opening set against a player featuring in the main draw of an ATP event for the sixth time.

BBC: Winning start for Nadal in India

However, their joy was tempered by the news that star player Pau Gasol could miss the final because of a foot injury.

BBC: SPORT | Other Sport... | Basketball | Greece oust USA in massive upset

Fulham striker Hayles was left out of the starting line-up, and Zat Knight also had to be content with a place on the bench because of a foot injury.

BBC: SPORT | Football | FA Cup | West Ham 0-3 Fulham

Mike Gesell, who did not start because of a foot injury, came off the bench to spark the run with a 3-pointer and an assist to Melsahn Basabe on a dunk that brought the sellout crowd of more than 15, 000 fans to its feet.

WSJ: Iowa fights off Stony Brook 75-63 for NIT win

Sunderland defender McCartney is ruled out by a foot injury while Lafferty withdrew from the squad on Friday evening because of a chest infection.

BBC: Evans joins N Ireland absentees

Centre Mike Tindall and flanker Tom Rees are certain to miss the remaining Six Nations fixtures, while David Strettle is recovering from a serious foot injury and influential prop Andrew Sheridan also missed the trip to Rome because of an infection.

BBC: Stevens backs England to triumph

And, because of my spinal cord injury from the back breakage, I can't feel my left foot so good either.

NPR: Craig DeMartino: Winner in the Extremity Games