US aim to avoid clay crisis on freshly-laid court
VIENNA (AFP) — The powerhouse US aims to smooth over any difficulties with a freshly-laid indoor clay court as the 32-time champions opens their 2008 Davis Cup campaign Friday against Austria.
US skipper Patrick McEnroe played down any doubts from the visiting side about the state of the dirt in the Ferry Duskia Hallenstadion.
"Hopefully, it will settle down in 24 hours," McEnroe said during Thursday's draw. "It's difficult to play a clay court indoors.
"Inside the lines it's fine, but it's a bit rough outside the baseline."
In Friday's opening tie Andy Roddick will face Jurgen Melzer, with the sixth-ranked American standing 6-0 in that series. James Blake will later face top Austrian Stefan Koubek to complete opening-day World group first-round singles.
Saturday's doubles will be led by the 13-1 Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, against Julian Knowle and Melzer.
In Sunday's reverse singles, Roddick, who denied he had a problem with the court, plays Koubek and Blake takes on Melzer.
McEnroe has had to settle a team which has voiced dissatisfaction that champions and finalist in the worldwide competition have to begin again just two months after the final.
Roddick has called for a change, adding his view to those clamouring for revision.
But the American has a more important personal task at hand as he tries to put behind a poor third-round loss to German Philip Kohlschreiber at the Australian Open.
The former number one voiced faint enthusiasm for the weekend during the draw ceremony. "It will be a tough match, even with the ranking difference.
"We're playing on clay in Austria and they have their home public behind them."
Roddick and Blake stand a combined 12-1 against the singles opposition, with Roddick 4-0 against Koubek and 6-0 versus Melzer, both ranked in the 50s.
Despite the clay complaints, the US boasts a better historical record on the surface than the Europeans, playing 80 ties and winning 58 for a .725 percentage.
Blake and Roddick are hoping to put the visitors up 2-0 on opening day, paving the way for the Bryans to possibly wrap up the weekend early on Saturday.
Blake, who fell out of the top ten to 12th, is happy to let his teammate start the action. "I'm used to Andy going first. I enjoy watching his matches.
"Hopefully Andy will get us the first point and I can add another. I've never played Koubek on clay, it should be a tough match."
Blake lost to Koubek in 2002 but beat the Austrian in last last year's US Open.
