Davis Cup World Group Semifinals

It's Davis Cup weekend and the teams are preparing for battle.

SWEDEN v USA
Venue: Scandinavium, Gothenburg, Sweden (carpet-indoors)

SWEDEN
Jonas Bjorkman
Thomas Johansson
Joachim Johansson
Simon Aspelin
Captain: Mats Wilander

USA
Andy Roddick
James Blake
Mike Bryan
Bob Bryan
Captain: Patrick McEnroe



I haven't seen Joachim Johansson's name since the Australian Open. Sure he's got weapons, but he hasn't played in 8 months, so I'm not sure what a factor he will be. Blake has beaten him in Sweden, however. And now that he knows he can win a five-setter, he's got to like his chances against anyone else too. As well as Roddick played at the US Open, I can't see him dropping more than a set in both singles matches, provided his services will even be required on Sunday. He opens against Joachim Johannson on Friday, followed by Blake versus the other Johansson. The Bryans will be favored in the doubles. USA takes this tie 4-1, if they don't sweep it.








RUSSIA v GERMANY
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia (clay – indoors)

RUSSIA
Nikolay Davydenko
Mikhail Youzhny
Dmitry Tursunov
Igor Andreev
Captain: Shamil Tarpischev

GERMANY
Tommy Haas
Philipp Kohschreiber
Alexander Waske
Philipp Petzschner
Captain: Patrik Kuhnen



As a fan of the USA team, I'll be rooting for Russia so that if we win, we can host Russia in the final at home. But this is no gimme for Russia. Sure, Russia is hard to beat at home, but Germany knows its way around indoor claycourts. Kohlschreiber is 3-0 against Youzhny, including two wins this year, one on clay. Davydenko will be favored in all of his matches, provided he's not exhuasted. This tie will likely go down to the fifth rubber.

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