Roddick Leads U.S., Moya for Spain in Favorite Davis Cup Semifinalists

The Davis Cup World Group semifinals will be played this weekend from Sept. 24-26, with the U.S. at home against Belarus, and France travelling to Spain.

The U.S. is not a runaway favorite even with the home court advantage against Belarus. Behind Andy Roddick is the slumping Mardy "Silver" Fish, who holds a 3-4 career win-loss for the U.S. in singles, and Mike Bryan adds to the American's problems with his hip injury in the doubles with brother Bob.

For Andy Roddick it is a chance to redeem his 2004 season. Last year Roddick finished the year No. 1 and won the US Open, but his 2004 tally is no slams and no chance at finishing No. 1.

"This is definitely the most important thing left for me," Roddick said. "Coming into this year I wanted to win a major and I wanted to have a shot at being No. 1."

The Bryan brothers are 3-0 career in Davis Cup doubles for the U.S.

Max "The Beast" Mirnyi will lead the Belarus upset attempt along with No. 2 Vladimir Voltchkov who has been almost nonexistent in ATP play this year. The Beast beat Marat Safin in an upset over Russia earlier this year in Cup play, but has struggled without a title in 2004.

"The fact that they are playing at home, they are expected to win," said The Beast, revelling in the underdog role. "They must feel like they are under pressure."

This is the first meeting between the U.S. and Belarus.

France have their collective hands full with a trip to the red clay in Spain, where countries come in but don't come out with anything but an "L."

Either France or Spain have reached the Davis Cup final in each of the past five years.

Spain will go with the same team from their last tie in French Open champs Carlos Moya and Juan Carlos Ferrero, and in doubles Tommy Robredo and Rafael "The Prodigy" Nadal. France will sit the slumping and injured Sebastien Grosjean while likely playing Arnaud Clement and Paul-Henri Mathieu in singles, and Fabrice "The Magician" Santoro and Michael Llodra in doubles.

"It's good for us that Grosjean is not playing," Moya said. "He is their most dangerous player."