Sport - Tennis

Blake ready to play No. 1

Charlotte: James Blake is ready to be the No. 1 singles player for the United States in next week's Davis Cup quarterfinal against Spain after Andy Roddick strained his left hamstring.

"It's an injury that could be tricky. We hope he's OK," Blake said on Thursday. "If we have him, we like our chances. If we don't have him, we're lucky enough to live in a country that has exceptional depth.

"I feel confident going on the court as the No. 1 and having Mardy Fish as the No. 2, or even Sam Querry or Robby Ginepri."

Roddick, ranked No. 5 by the ATP, was injured in the first set of Wednesday's Sony Ericsson Open quarterfinal and was forced to retire. He won't know until early next week whether he'll be able to play in the April 6-8 matches in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Captain Patrick McEnroe has already chosen Fish, ranked No. 23, for the team and has said he is likely to play if there were an injury.

The U.S. is seeking its first Davis Cup title since 1995.

Spain will be missing No. 2 ranked Rafael Nadal, who announced on Tuesday that he wouldn't play to rest an injured right foot. That left Tommy Robredo and David Ferrer as Spain's singles players for the best-of-five tie. AP

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