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Posted at 7:07 a.m., Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Tennis: Koubek to lead Austria vs. U.S. in Davis Cup

By ERIC WILLEMSEN
Associated Press Writer

VIENNA, Austria — Stefan Koubek will lead Austria against the defending champion United States in the first round of the Davis Cup.

Koubek was chosen today along with Jurgen Melzer, Werner Eschauer and Julian Knowle for the best-of-five series on indoor clay in Vienna on Feb. 8-10.

United States captain Patrick McEnroe was expected to announce his team later Tuesday. Andy Roddick, James Blake and Bob and Mike Bryan led the Americans to their record 32nd Davis Cup title in December.

"The United States will bring their best players for sure, which means they show respect for our team," Austria captain Gilbert Schaller said.

Koubek, the highest-ranked Austrian on the team at No. 55, and Melzer are expected to play singles, and Melzer will likely team with Knowle in doubles. Eschauer will be a substitute.

Koubek knows his team will be the underdog when the Americans come to Vienna.

"But if our team works really well and we take every chance we get, maybe we can cause an upset," Koubek said.

Knowle, however, has struggled with injuries lately.

"I suffered from dizziness and a chronic elbow inflammation," said Knowle, who won the doubles title at the U.S. Open last year with Simon Aspelin. "I still need treatment for that, so hopefully I will be fit by next week."

The match between the United States and Austria will be the third in the Davis Cup. The Americans won the previous two, first on clay in Vienna in 1990 and hardcourts in Connecticut in 2004.