Roddick and Blake overcame their recent problems to give the United States a 2-0 lead over Spain in the quarterfinals today.

Playing just over a week after straining his left hamstring, Roddick shook off a slow start to beat Fernando Verdasco 7-6 (5), 6-1, 6-4 on the fast, indoor hard court. In the first match of the best-of-five event, Blake broke out of his slump to beat Tommy Robredo 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

"With Andy coming in off a slight injury. I really felt like it was time for James to step up and win a big match," U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe said. "He did, so Andy could come out with a 1-0 lead. After Andy won that first set, the momentum swung in his favor."

The United States can secure a spot in the semifinals against Sweden or Argentina with a win Saturday by the top-ranked doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan against Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez.

Sweden, playing at home, led 2-0. In the two other quarterfinals, Germany led Belgium 2-0, and France and Russia were tied 1-1.

Roddick, who improved to 23-9 in Davis Cup play, trailed 5-3 in the first set before rallying. Verdasco, chosen ahead of David Ferrer as the No. 2 singles player for Spain, had two of his five first-set double faults while serving for the set. Roddick won that game, then took the tiebreak when Verdasco's forehand sailed long.

Roddick took over from there, despite acknowledging he wasn't 100 percent from the injury that forced him to retire in the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Roddick won 13 straight service points in the second set and finished with 12 aces on his favorite surface.

"We had a tough conversation the other night just about where I was at, and whether I could get through two (matches)," Roddick said. "I'm sure I'll spend a very boring day (Saturday) on my face with various gimmicks attached to my leg."

Verdasco had 14 aces, but also 39 unforced errors on a frustrating day for the Spaniards, who were missing top player Rafael Nadal.

"We have to get motivated and pumped up for (Saturday)," Spanish captain Emilio Sanchez said. "That's the only option for us to keep the tie alive."

Blake, who had lost six of his past nine matches, relied on a powerful forehand on the quick surface, exposing Robredo's backhand.

Blake was broken for the first time when serving for the match at 5-2. But after Robredo held, Blake clinched the victory with a volley at the net into the open court, pumping his fist and delighting the American crowd.

The crowd of 14,453, the largest to watch the Davis Cup in the United States in more than 15 years, yelled "Let's go James!" well before the first match started in hopes of ending the Americans' Davis Cup drought. The United States has a record 31 titles, but none since 1995.

"I'm darn near speechless because this atmosphere is something I've never been a part of," said Blake, who won an opening Davis Cup match for the first time.

The boisterous crowd affected Verdasco, who was warned by the chair umpire for yelling at fans behind the Spanish team area near the end of his match. Sanchez also complained in the final set of the second match.

"I wasn't upset with all the people. I was upset with one stupid guy saying bad things about my serve, my record and the Spanish people," Verdasco said. "It's not good that you are listening to all those things when you are losing."

Verdasco was also hampered by the quick surface and Roddick's blistering serve.

"Everybody knows how Andy serves and he's difficult to attack," Verdasco. "I tried to move him and do my best."

Robredo, No. 6 in the rankings, became Spain's top singles player when No. 2 ranked Nadal pulled out last week because of a sore foot.

But Robredo struggled to adapt to the low-bouncing, quick surface, and couldn't contain No. 9 Blake at the net.

"The court was so fast and it was difficult to play," Robredo said. "I didn't do a bad job. When you play with someone who is as good of a player as you and everything is in his favor, it's normal that it go to his side."

Blake's confidence rose after he broke Robredo to win the first set and he controlled the match from there.

"To beat a top-10 player in three straight sets, it's going to give me a little confidence," Blake said.

Elsewhere in the Davis Cup:

At Goteborg, Sweden, Thomas Johansson and Robin Soderling won before a home crowd against Argentina, a 2006 finalist. Johansson rallied past David Nalbandian 6-7 (3), 7-6 (2), 6-2, 7-6 (0). Soderling beat Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-4. Sweden, a seven-time champion, is playing at home for the first time since 2003.

At Ostend, Belgium, Tommy Haas and Davis Cup rookie Philipp Kohlschreiber won to put Germany in command against Belgium. Haas rallied past Kristof Vliegen 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4, 6-2. Kohlschreiber defeated Olivier Rochus 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (4).