Bratislava, Sept 19: Newly-crowned US Open Champion Andy Roddick, the world number two, opens the United States' Davis Cup World Group Play-off with a first rubber against Slovakia's world no 60 Dominik Hrbaty today. The last of the 25-year-old Hrbaty's three titles was at Auckland in 2001. Mardy fish, 23rd in the world, takes on Karol Kucera, ranked 31, in the second rubber Friday. Fish, 22, steps in for James Blake. The big-serving right-hander has made three finals and four quarter-finals this year.
He took Roddick to three sets -- 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 -- in the Cincinnati masters last month. The 29-year-old Kucera's sixth and last title was at Copenhagen in February.
Twins bob and Mike Bryan, the French Open Champions and joint world number one in doubles, play Karol Beck and Michal Mertinak in Saturday's doubles.
In Sunday's reverse singles, Roddick, who has won six events this season, plays Kucera and fish finishes against Hrbaty.
Bureau Report