Spain's Robredo faces Volandri in Davis Cup opener

MADRID, Sep 21 (Reuters) Spanish world number seven Tommy Robredo will take on Filippo Volandri in the opening match of his country's Davis Cup World Group play-off against Italy in Santander this weekend.

Tomorrow's second singles rubber pits world number two Rafael Nadal against Italy's Andreas Seppi.

In Saturday's doubles Robredo and Fernando Verdasco will take on Daniele Bracciali and Giorgio Galimberti.

Italy hold a 7-5 edge over Spain in head-to-heads in this competition but lost the last time they met, in similar circumstances, in September last year when Spain won 3-2.

With matches taking place on clay outdoors both sides will be keeping a keen eye on the weather for the after-effects of Hurricane Gordon which is expected to bring rain and winds to Spain's north coast.

REUTERS DH BD1624