Next Foe Annoyed With U.S.

The biggest drama for the U.S. Davis Cup team Sunday involved its next opponent. During James Blake’s 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 win against late substitute Ladislav Svarc, news emerged that Spain defeated Morocco.

After the United States beat Slovakia, 5-0--Andy Roddick defeated Karol Beck, 6-4, 7-6 (5), in the final match--Jeff Ryan, the USTA’s director of team events, spoke of trying a grass court indoors, following what Australia did against France in last year’s Davis Cup final.

Ryan mentioned Shreveport, La., as one possibility. Southern California remains under consideration but is hurt by closeness to the Indian Wells event. The match against Spain is April 5-7 and the site and surface has to be selected by Feb. 25.

Meanwhile, the Spaniards remain upset about the American withdrawal from the Fed Cup final last year in Madrid. The U.S. pulled out because of security concerns. Spanish federation president Agustin Pujol said there would not be a Spanish boycott of the quarterfinal in retaliation.

“We do want to be compensated for the economic loss,” he told the Spanish news agency EFE.

U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe had not heard of a potential boycott, saying: “That would certainly be disappointing. We certainly would like them to come. We don’t want a pass to the next round. We want to play.”

In other Davis Cup competition, Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson beat Greg Rusedski in four sets, completing Sweden’s comeback victory over Britain to reach the quarterfinals.

In Birmingham, England, where Sweden entered the day trailing the series, 2-1, Thomas Enqvist tied it by defeating Tim Henman, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Johansson then rallied to top Rusedski, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.

Sweden next plays Russia, which got past Switzerland, 3-2, when Australian Open finalist Marat Safin beat Michel Kratochvil, 6-1, 7-6 (6), 6-4, at Moscow.

In Metz, France, Sebastien Grosjean created an insurmountable 3-1 lead by beating Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands, 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (6), 2-6, 6-3. France’s next opponent is the Czech Republic.

Goran Ivanisevic beat Rainer Schuettler, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), to help Croatia oust Germany and set up a quarterfinal with Argentina.

Spain advanced when Morocco’s Karim Alami quit during the deciding fifth match while losing, 6-3, 6-0, to Alex Corretja. Alami received treatment for a muscle injury.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.