Davis Cup Singles Preview
Note: I’m writing from my laptop in Sweden, and everyone reading should know that my “D” and “E” keys are stuck together. I will do my best to edit everything, but if you ever see something along “thedse” lines, deal with it.
Earlier today the draw for this weekends USA-Sweden Davis Cup Tie was announced, here is the order if play:
Friday
Joachim Johansson (SWE) v Andy Roddick (USA)
Thomas Johansson (SWE) v James Blake (USA)
Saturday
Simon Aspelin/Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) v Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA)
Sunday
Thomas Johansson (SWE) v Andy Roddick (USA)
Joachim Johansson (SWE) v James Blake (USA)
This is a dream scenario for the US team. Roddick playing first is important because I think he has a bit more confidence than Blake, especially in Davis Cup play. On top of that, he is playing Joachim Johansson, who has been more or less non existent on the ATP because of injuries for the last couple of years. So if Roddick can pull out a win in the first match, it will ease the pressure on James for the second singles match. Blake is clearly the favorite against Thomas Johansson, but expect it to be a very close match. Given that Sweden will probably be down 1-0, and with his hometown crowd behind him, Johansson will give everything he’s got. In the end, all he’s got probably will not be enough, and I think the US will head into Saturday’s doubles match with a 2-0 lead.
I’ll be back Saturday morning with a review of Friday’s matches and my prediction for thde doubles match. Oh yeah, as for the other semi, I expect a split in the singles matches, with Haas defeating Andreev, and Davydenko taking down Kohlschreiber.
Here are some links in the meantime:
Bonnie Ford’s take on the upcoming weekend.
Davenport continues to win.
Henman ready for a bittersweet weekend.