Blake, Agassi Vie for Spot

So, will it be the fast-rising James Blake, ranked a career-high No. 14, or Andre Agassi on hand at Rancho Mirage against Chile in the Davis Cup quarterfinals?

U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe isn’t sure. Then again, he doesn’t know whether he’ll be there himself for the matches, April 7-9, considering his wife is expecting their first child, due April 17. If he can’t make it, McEnroe isn’t overly concerned about his veteran team handling a last-minute change.

The matter of whether Agassi or Blake joins Andy Roddick and twins Mike and Bob Bryan is more problematic. Agassi, who has been struggling in recent weeks, has expressed a desire to play. But Blake’s recent form has been outstanding, coming off a title earlier this month in Las Vegas, beating Lleyton Hewitt in the final.

“He’s definitely an option: He’s Andre Agassi,” McEnroe said Sunday at the Pacific Life Open.

“I’ve had numerous conversations in the last couple months. I think he really wants to play if he believes he’s our best option.”

What happens if Agassi suddenly lifts his game, as he has done so many times in the past? McEnroe wasn’t about to show his hand.

“That’s a good problem to have,” McEnroe said. “So let’s hope they both play well. I’ve been very impressed with James, not only in Davis Cup, but just the way he’s playing. Winning Vegas was huge for him, to beat Hewitt.... He now knows he can be a top player.”