U.S. Loses in Doubles, Faces Early Elimination

The U.S. team and new captain Patrick McEnroe could make an ignominious exit--or glorious comeback--in the Davis Cup.

The Americans trail Switzerland, 2-1, and face first-round elimination for the first time since 1993 in the best-of-five series after the Swiss pair of Roger Federer and Lorenzo Manta defeated Jan-Michael Gambill and Justin Gimelstob, 6-4, 6-2, 7-5, Saturday.

American Davis Cup teams have rallied five times after trailing 2-1 going into reverse singles. The first American captain to bring his team back was Richard Norris Williams in 1934.

Last year, the U.S. team captained by McEnroe’s fiery older brother, John, rallied twice, in defeating Zimbabwe and the Czech Republic. But the elder McEnroe had Andre Agassi for both matches and Pete Sampras for one.

This time, the younger McEnroe has neither. In addition, veteran Todd Martin is injured and doubtful for today after hurting his back in a Friday singles loss to Federer.

Federer, 19, one of the top young talents in the game, could oust the United States in today’s first singles match against Gambill. He’s 2-0 against Gambill and is fresh off his first ATP tour title last week.

“The confidence is there,” Federer said after keying the Swiss win Saturday. “You can take more risks when you’re confident. We were playing well. I took some chances and every time it paid off.”

Gimelstob and Gambill had only one break point--in the second set--and failed to capitalize.

They agreed on the problem. “We didn’t return very well, especially me,” Gambill said.

Said Gimelstob: “We didn’t make them play enough balls on return.”

If today’s second singles match still matters and Martin can’t play against Michel Kratochvil, McEnroe will use 18-year-old Andy Roddick. Roddick, the world’s top junior last year, never has played a Davis Cup match.

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Spain’s two-month reign as Davis Cup champion ended Saturday against host Netherlands at Eindhoven.

Sjeng Schalken and Paul Haarhuis defeated Alex Corretja and Juan Balcells, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (12-10), to clinch victory at 3-0 and render today’s singles matches moot.