The US face a formidable challenge this weekend when they take on a strong Spanish team, led by world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, in a Madrid bullring for a place in the Davis Cup final against either Argentina or Russia.
It was Nadal, then just 18 and relatively unknown, who sensationally downed Andy Roddick, then ranked No. 2 in the world, to help Spain defeat the US and win only its second Davis Cup trophy in Seville in 2004.
Four years on, he is having the best season of his career, having won Wimbledon, the French Open and an Olympic gold medal and dethroned Roger Federer from the top spot in men’s tennis.
Spanish captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario will be counting on the 22-year-old to pick up both points in the singles matches against Andy Roddick and Sam Querry on the clay court in Madrid’s 22,000-capacity Las Ventas bullring.
He will be helped in the singles by world No. 5 David Ferrer, while 15th-ranked Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez, ranked 37, will play the doubles against Mike Bryan and Mardy Fish.
Fish is a replacement for Bryan’s usual partner, his twin brother Bob, who pulled out with a shoulder injury.
The Bryan twins have played the last 14 Davis Cup doubles rubbers for USA since making their debut in September 2003, and would have been a good bet for a point.
Last week, ninth-ranked James Blake withdrew from the US squad, citing exhaustion, and was replaced by the 20-year-old Querrey, ranked 39.
Sanchez Vicario and his US counterpart Patrick McEnroe agree that Madrid’s high altitude, which makes the ball fly faster, could help the Americans.
“The tie will be equal” due to the high altitude, Sanchez Vicario said.
In the other semi-final, Argentina and Russia clash in Buenos Aires, where the Argentines will hope to repeat a 5-0 win they achieved in the 2003 quarter-final.
However, it was the Russians who had the edge the last time the two countries met — in the 2006 trophy match, when they edged through 3-2 on carpet in Moscow.
Argentina’s world No. 7 David Nalbandian is confident.
“We are looking good, we have been training hard and are in good form. But it will be a tough encounter and we have to be 100 percent focused. We must use home advantage,” Nalbandian said.
Skipper Alberto Mancini will also hope for great things from up and coming star Juan Martin del Potro, while Agustin Calleri and Guillermo Canas complete the group.
“Much will depend on the opening day, where we must ensure we get off to a flier,” Mancini said.
Nalbandian insists he is over a rib injury which forced him to lay low for a month earlier in the season.
“I’ve had a complicated year but now I’m better and finding my rhythm again,” he said.
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