Posted at 11:08 a.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Roddick, Blake to face Nadal, Spain in Davis Cup
Associated Press
Andy Roddick and James Blake were selected today for the U.S. Davis Cup team that will face Rafael Nadal and Spain on an indoor hardcourt in next month's quarterfinal.Captain Patrick McEnroe will also go with the world's top-ranked doubles team of brothers Bob and Mike Bryan for the matches in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The eighth Davis Cup meeting between the countries could include four of the top eight players in the rankings. Nadal, No. 2, is expected to be joined on Spain's team by No. 6 Tommy Robredo or No. 14 David Ferrer. Roddick is No. 3 and Blake is No. 8.
The U.S., which hasn't won the Davis Cup since 1995, beat the Czech Republic 4-1 in the first round last month, with Roddick winning the decisive match.
The U.S. Tennis Association picked Winston-Salem to host the April 6-8 quarterfinal before Spain beat Switzerland 3-2 in the first round. So instead of grass, where Nadal had struggled until reaching the Wimbledon final last year, the competition will be held on a surface suited to Roddick's big serve and Blake's speed.
