Courier Picks Isner Ahead of Querrey for Davis Cup Tie Against Chile

New American captain Jim Courier named his Davis Cup team that will take on Chile a week from Friday. The former No. 1 selected Andy Roddick, John Isner and the Bryans, Bob and Mike, on the four-match roster who will travel to Santiago for the March 3 tie. ADHEREL

Sam Querrey was left off the starting lineup. Querrey, who is playing this week in Delray Beach with a bad shoulder, is still scheduled to make the trip to South America. Mardy Fish, who is at a career-high No. 16 this week, is not on the team as he continues to recover from a thyroid problem.

Roddick, who passed on playing Davis Cup last year, returns but had to withdraw from Delray Beach because of the Flu. Courier says his star will be just fine.

“I’ve been talking to Andy quite a lot,” Courier said. “And certainly he’s not feeling as well as he would like to, but it seemed to be flu symptoms, which shouldn’t be too severe. He should be back on the court here probably by midweek and get some kind of buildup for the
Davis Cup. I think he was smart to not push his body given what he put it through on Sunday.”

The U.S. is a perfect 4-0 against Chile. With Fernando Gonzalez still recovering from hip surgery, Chile is expected to rely on Nicolas Massu to turn back the Americans on the red clay. Massue will be joined by Paul Capdeville, Jorge Aguilar and Guillermo Rivera-Aranguiz.

“I have experience playing in Chile,” said Courier. “I’ve played down there a few times in my career and I’ve played Davis Cup in Brazil, and I’m pretty familiar with the kind of energy and excitement that their fans will bring, and we’ll be ready for that. That’s one of the best things about playing Davis Cup is getting a chance to go into an away tie situation and face all of the elements and face that enthusiasm and energy and their passion and try and use that as energy for yourself and come away with a win. It’s going to be — there’s no doubt it’s going to be loud. There’s no doubt it’s going to be boisterous, and we expect it, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Courier is the 40th US Davis Cup captain.

If the U.S. wins they will play either Spain or Belgium in July with Nadal possibly making an early summer appearance in the U.S.