Davis Cup: Semifinals tickets punched, U.S. team gets to chill

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Andy Roddick leaned back in his chair, drink in hand, and yelled, "Let's go Bob!"

With the United States having clinched a spot in the Davis Cup semifinals, Roddick rested his sore left hamstring on a stress-free Sunday for the U.S. But he remained a cheerleader for a competition he desperately wants to win.

The Americans entered the day with a 3-0 lead over Spain in the best-of-five event, making reverse singles meaningless. The U.S. wound up winning 4-1 after Tommy Robredo beat Roddick's replacement, doubles specialist Bob Bryan 6-4, 6-4, and James Blake topped Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).

This was a day for lighthearted tennis. Robredo joked with Spanish captain Emilio Sanchez that he'd play hard if Sanchez would do 10 pushups. The captain did them -- on the court -- after the match.

Roddick already was looking toward the September matchup with Sweden, which closed out a 4-1 win over Argentina on Sunday. While many top players shy away from the Davis Cup, Roddick is intent on giving the U.S. its first title since 1995.

Mike and Bob Bryan improved to 11-1 at the Davis Cup. (AP)

"I want to be here," he said. "I don't think Davis Cup is something that you can play at your convenience."

In the other semifinal, defending champion Russia will play Germany. Russia, with a decisive singles victory by Marat Safin, downed France 3-2 in its quarterfinal. Germany, already assured of advancing, lost two singles matches but defeated Belgium 3-2.

Roddick's Davis Cup commitment may be key to ending the longest title drought for the Americans in the event's history. Spain's chances were weakened when No. 2 ranked Rafael Nadal pulled out last week citing a sore foot, but likely more concerned with preparing for the clay-court season.

Spain reached the quarterfinals after beating Switzerland, which was without top-ranked Roger Federer.

But Roddick, ranked No. 3, has played in 12 consecutive Davis Cup events for the U.S. And barring injury, he'll be in Sweden on Sept. 21-23.

"I feel that you start at the beginning of the year and you decide whether you're going to go through the long haul of it or not," Roddick said. "If it might be difficult or you're not playing in your comfort zone, then all of a sudden you don't want to play. I don't necessarily understand that or agree with it."

Roddick, who was injured March 28 at the Sony Ericsson Open, acknowledged he wasn't 100 percent when he beat Fernando Verdasco on Friday to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead on the fast, hard court that suits his big serve. Roddick is 23-9 in the Davis Cup since his debut in 2001.

"It would certainly take a lot of starch out of our team if Andy didn't play, that's for sure. But luckily that hasn't happened," U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe said. "Andy's been 100 percent committed. I think we, meaning the U.S. fans, have been lucky that that's the case."