According to James Blake, there has been no decision made on whether Sam Querrey or Steve Johnson will be selected for the United States’ first-round Davis Cup tie, while John Isner and the doubles team of Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan “are pretty much locked in.” Captain Jim Courier will make the final call for the tie against Great Britain, to be held on March 6-8 on an indoor hard court in Glasgow, Scotland.
Last year the U.S. lost to Great Britain in a first-round tie in San Diego, California. Andy Murray beat Donald Young in the first match, and then James Ward upset Querrey in five sets, 1-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. The Bryans won the Saturday doubles point, but Murray wrapped up the tie on Sunday by defeating Querrey in four sets. Isner was hurt and could not play.
Both Querrey and Johnson were hurt this week in Delray Beach during their first-round matches. World No. 39 Querrey was leading Alejandro Gonzalez by a set, and world No. 42 Johnson was leading Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 4-1.
“It’s probably pretty much a toss-up between Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey as to who the second singles member will be, and I think John Isner and the Bryans are pretty much locked in,” Blake told The Tennis Podcast. “I think it’s going be important that person that’s picked has to have a good a win against, most likely, James Ward. Which didn’t happen last time.
“Querrey lost last year to James Ward in a close match and he’s probably itching to get a little revenge. And Isner needs to come through.”
With the Bryans favored to win their doubles match, two wins against the second British singles player could be enough to seal the tie. But Blake also sees the Americans having the potential to defeat Great Britain's top player, Andy Murray.
“They have two shots at Andy Murray. He’s going to be the favorite of both of them but with Isner's serve and with either Querrey or Steve Johnson’s serve, anything can happen, so those guys will go into the match with Andy with no pressure and that can be dangerous,” said Blake.