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Roddick will open for U.S. against Sweden

Gothenburg, Sweden (Sports Network) - When the 2007 Davis Cup semifinal between the United States and host Sweden gets underway on Friday, the opening singles rubber will pit former world No. 1 Andy Roddick against Joachim Johansson.

Roddick-Johansson will be followed by a bout between American James Blake and Thomas Johansson, who is not related to the 6-foot-6 Joachim.

Saturday's doubles will pit the American twin Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, against a Swedish duo of Simon Aspelin and Jonas Bjorkman, while Sunday's reverse singles tentatively call for Roddick to meet Thomas Johansson and Blake to take on Joachim Johansson, who hasn't played on the tour since the Australian Open back in January due to shoulder problems. Aspelin captured the U.S. Open men's doubles title, alongside Austrian Julian Knowle, earlier this month.

The best-of-five tie will be staged on an indoor carpet at Scandinavium. The winner will face the Russia-Germany victor in the World Group final in late- November/early-December. Russia is the defending Davis Cup champion.

Roddick, a former U.S. Open champ and three-time Grand Slam runner-up, is 23-9 in his Davis Cup career, while Blake is 11-7 in his singles rubbers in this storied competition.

The United States owns a record 31 Davis Cup titles, but is currently in its longest-ever championship drought, having not hoisted the chalice since 1995. The Swedes have won the title seven times, with their last one coming back in 1998.

The Americans are 8-3 all-time against Sweden, including a quarterfinal victory in Florida in 2004. The Swedes are 3-1 versus the U.S. in their ties on home turf, including a 5-0 victory in a final right here in Gothenburg 10 years ago.

The U.S. is 2-1 versus the Swedes in the Davis Cup semifinals, but 0-1 in ones played here in Sweden.

Patrick McEnroe captains the American squad, while former tennis great Mats Wilander guides the Swedes.

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