US team still believe despite losses

US Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe remains confident his team can upset Spain in this weekend's semi-final, despite losing two first-choice players and facing arguably the strongest clay court squad in world tennis.

The United States, who beat Russia to win the title last year, will be without world number 10 James Blake and lost Bob Bryan, one half of the world's top-ranked doubles pair, to a shoulder injury ahead of the tie in Madrid starting today.

"We are the underdogs. Someone is going to have to pull off some big wins to get this one," eight-time captain McEnroe told reporters.

"But we are here because we think we can win."

The depleted US team will be relying on big-server Andy Roddick to nick a point off world number one Rafael Nadal, who has never lost a clay court singles matches in the Cup, or for 20-year-old Sam Querrey, ranked 39, to produce a minor miracle.

McEnroe was phlegmatic about Querrey's chances versus Nadal.

"Well let's see," he said, flashing the Davis Cup rookie a smile: "He's playing in his first tie, against Spain away, against arguably the greatest clay court player of all time. So Sam... you better win huh?"

Both Querrey and Bryan's replacement Mardy Fish - who was organising his wedding when he got the call late last week - lost to Nadal in New York, but each took a set off the Spaniard.

Spain are also fielding world number five David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco, ranked 15, and Feliciano Lopez, 37 as they seek to repeat their 2004 victory over the US in Seville.

In the week's other tie, Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev has called up Davis Cup newcomer Igor Kunitsyn to face hosts Argentina. The 26-year-old, ranked number 72 in the world, replaces Mikhail Youzhny.

Former world number one Marat Safin pulled out, citing the need to win points at the Thailand Open next week.

"It would have been better with him in the team," Argentina's David Nalbandian said.

"They have players who are much more dangerous than he is on clay."

Instead, Russia will employ world number six Nikolay Davydenko and Igor Andreev, 19, and Dmitry Tursunov, 26.