One of the potentially most attractive ties in Davis Cup memory could become a humdrum affair after Roger Federer pulled out of the US-Switzerland first round clash in Birmingham, AL., with a back injury.
Now Andy Roddick, the Bryan Brothers and likely James Blake will be big faves to win the tie against top-15 player Stan Wawrinka and a bunch of obscure Swiss men, rather than being slight underdogs against American killer Federer at home March 6-8.
“This decision was very difficult, because I had the chance to go through to the next round with my teammates,” said Fed.
Roddick and Blake own a combined 3-24 record against Fed and the Bryans lost to Federer/ Wawrinka at the Olympics. A victory over the Swiss would have meant earning at least one win over Fed – no small feat – while victories over the competent and steady Wawrinka aren’t guaranteed either. Now Stan must be the Man, all by his lonesome, which will likely be too tough a task, as Roddick and the Bryans are nearly unbeatable at home against players with lower rankings.
After winning the title in ’07, the US team has played more freely and now has a decent shot to return to the final. If they beat the Swiss, their probable semifinal foe will be Croatia, a very tough but beatable team they will face on the road.
“It’s not as desperate now,” Roddick said of the effect of the ’07 title run. “It took a huge weight off our shoulders and it’s easier to play Davis Cup now.”
