Black Tennis Pros

American James Blake defeated Richard Gasquet 67 (4) 64 64 in the fifth rubber to give USA a 4-1 victory over France in the 2008 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinals. In Sunday’s opener, the US No. 1 Andy Roddick decimated Paul-Henri Mathieu 62 63 62 in 1 hr 37 minutes to seal the win for the Americans. The No. 10 ranked Gasquet, who had not played on Friday due to injury, was a replacement for Michael Llodra.

Record crowds

Yesterday’s win by the Americans sets up a Davis Cup Semifinal against Spain in September. Spain, who defeated Germany 4-1 in Bremen, will host the tie but the venue has not as yet been named. Certainly the Spanish will choose a slow clay court not only to play to their own strengths but also to confound the Americans.

The last time the USA played in Spain was the 2004 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final, won by the home team in Seville in front of 27,200 fans daily. This was the largest recorded attendance for any sanctioned tennis event in history.

Andy Roddick is hopeful that the US teams chances have improved since 2004. “Yeah, it’s a different tie,” said Roddick. “That being said, Nadal has won a couple clay court matches since then also. I’m sure he’s licking his chops because it’s gonna be nice conditions for him. So he’ll show.”

"I still have a lot to prove on clay" - Roddick

“I’d love to say I’ve improved a ton,” added Roddick. “I think I’ve become a better Davis Cup player. I still have a lot to prove on clay. And I’m not going to try to tell you that I’m fixed and great on clay and all this stuff. But I’m better in Davis Cup situations and I’m better in away tie situations. So, you know, that’s not gonna hurt.”

“I hoped we would have the chance to play Spain,” said American Captain Patrick McEnroe. “It’s the ultimate challenge, on slow red clay. I think we can do it. We’re the underdogs but I welcome the opportunity.”

I am now convinced that it is American James Blake's sole responsibility to bring the fire to the USA's Davis Cup matches. But how much can we stand?

Both James Blake and Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu were up to the task during Davis Cup play at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina today. It was whip here, whizz there, ace here, lob there, and whatever else you want to call some of those shots. It was remarkable.

At the same time, if you were cheering for the USA, James Blake losing that fourth set was the onset of a coronary. Enduring a fifth set was just almost unthinkable. But you couldn't really complain because neither Blake nor Mathieu was doing anything wrong. They were just both in their own zone.

James Blake saved two match points to win the five-set epic in this quarterfinal encounter. Blake defeated Mathieu 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in three hours and 48 minutes to post his third five-set win in 11 played.

Blake was greeted with a huge ovation by his team, a long hug from his mother and brother and a roar from the American crowd to honour his achievement.

“He was serving so well,” said Blake. “I wanted to give myself a chance, to get those returns in place and then take advantage of any opportunity that I had. He made an error on one of them and, before I knew it, I was back in it. And once you get that feeling of confidence, you feel like you can do anything. You get a second wind.”

“There were so many ups and downs during the match,” continued Blake. “Against a player of a very similar level, 12 in the world, it came down to one-two points, who is at home, who has the surface that’s right for them, down to confidence.”

“There is no better feeling in the world than being up 2-0 and watching the Bryans, sitting back and watching them with their energy and their ability,” added Blake. “No better feeling.”

A victory by the Americans tomorrow would put them into the semifinals against the winner of the Germany/Spain quarterfinal. Spain leads Germany 2-0 and Rafael Nadal and company would relish a chance to play the Americans in a reprise of the 2004 Final.

The USA Davis Cup team was presented with championship rings a' la the NFL Super Bowl rings. These rings are believed to be the first ever presented to a Davis Cup team.


Last night the very dapper USA team attended the 2008 Davis Cup Quarterfinal Players Party in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Venus Williams and Hank Kuehne walked the course at the Masters Tournament on Thursday to lend support to Hank's brother Trip.

As is well known, I'm a BIG Davis Cup fan. I went to the store today and loaded up on popcorn and adult beverages, both very necessary to thoroughly enjoy the matches. I'm ready, I know the USA team is ready, so let the play begin!

Andy Roddick, will open up the USA versus France tie in Winston-Salem against French No. 2 Michael Llodra. The pair have their first meeting in six years, since Roddick defeated the Frenchman back in 2002 at Delray Beach.

After losing Jo-Wilfried Tsonga due to a right knee injury, France has been dealt a further blow after Richard Gasquet was not included in the line-up due to suffering with blisters. Instead, Paul-Henri Mathieu will fill the French No. 1's shoes and take on American No. 2 James Blake in the second rubber, with Arnaud Clement and Llodra joining forces once again in the doubles against the world No. 1 team Bob and Mike Bryan.

The full draw for the weekend is as follows:

Friday
Andy Roddick (USA) v Michael Llodra (FRA)
James Blake (USA) v Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)

Saturday
Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA) v Arnaud Clement/Michael Llodra (FRA)

Sunday
Andy Roddick (USA) v Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)
James Blake (USA) v Michael Llodra (FRA)

Twenty-three year old former Clemson Tiger Jarmaine Jenkins, who is in doubles action this week in Mobile, Alabama at the 2008 Newton Cox USTA Men's Professional Tennis Classic.

Ahsha Rolle, Angela Haynes, Tiya Rolle - M&F Bank Women's Pro Challenger of Jackson, Mississippi

Marcus Fugate, Phillip Simmonds, Josselin Ouanna and Jarmaine Jenkins - 2008 Newton Cox USTA Men's Professional Tennis Classic, Mobile, Alabama

Scoville Jenkins - Puerto Rico Challenger Tennis Event, Humacao, Puerto Rico

In a stunning development that tips the competitive balance in favor of the United States, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France dropped out of the 2008 Davis Cup Quarterfinal, suffering from a lateral meniscus injury to his right knee.

Captain Guy Forget replaced the French star with veteran Arnaud Clement, who had traveled with the team to Winston-Salem as an alternate.

The 22-year-old Tsonga flew back to France on Wednesday for treatment. The news was made official Wednesday afternoon by Davis Cup Tournament Referee Wayne McKewen.

It was initially believed by the Americans that the inclusion of Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu was a smokescreen for Clement's inclusion in the doubles rubber.

Michael Llodra’s steady doubles partner, Clement and Llodra defeated the Bryans this year at the Australian Open and two years ago at Wimbledon.

“I will expect the unexpected,” said McEnroe on Tuesday. “They have a lot of versatility in their players. I certainly don't go in really wondering or worrying about it. As I said, we've got our four guys. If we play well and play at the top of our game, we feel good about our chances.”

“Certainly I think Guy (Forget) has more options available, maybe depending on how the guys look and adjust to the court, it being as quick as it is. It would not surprise me if there's some changes.”

With Tsonga out of the picture, the French will likely nominate Mathieu, ranked No. 12 in the world, to play second singles behind Richard Gasquet.

A career 4-6 in Davis Cup competition, Mathieu last played in the 2007 quarterfinals against Russia. Mathieu is 1-2 against Andy Roddick and 0-1 against James Blake.

Clement, 29, an eight-year Davis Cup veteran, is accomplished in both singles and doubles. In the first round against Romania, Clement partnered with Llodra in the clinching match.

Tsonga made his debut on the French Davis Cup team in the first round, winning his only match over Romania’s Andrei Pavel.

The official draw ceremony, which determines the official order of play, will be held Thursday at the Joel Coliseum.