Andy Roddick was extended to five sets Friday on what he said was a "terrible" court. James Blake got by his opening singles with what he suspects was his best match on clay, giving the Americans a 2-0 lead over Austria in the first round.
"This is probably my best day as captain of the team," Patrick McEnroe said. "Of course, winning the Davis Cup last year was huge, but today I was really impressed by the way the guys battled and showed their physical and mental strength under difficult circumstances."
Roddick defeated 57th-ranked Jurgen Melzer 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 on the slow indoor clay, a surface that has bedeviled the U.S. many times before. Melzer, who was treated for a thigh injury in the fifth set, varied his game with drop shots from the baseline and unpredictable charges to the net.
"The court was terrible, the worst I ever played on in Davis Cup," Roddick said. "It was the tough match I expected, but I won and that means we accomplished our goal."
Blake had far less trouble once he got past the first set, defeating Stefan Koubek 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-2.
"This was probably my best match ever on clay," Blake said. "I know Stefan is capable of not making any mistakes for a set and a half, so I had to be patient throughout and wait for my chances."
The U.S. can clinch the best-of-five series and reach the quarterfinals by winning Saturday's doubles. Twins Bob and Mike Bryan will play Melzer and Julian Knowle.
The Americans won their record 32nd Davis Cup title in December. Austria has not won a World Group series since 1995.
In other first-round play in the World Group, Russia (over Serbia), France (over Romania) Argentina (over Britain), Spain (over Peru) and the Czech Republic (over Belgium) took 2-0 leads. Israel-Sweden and Germany-South Korea were tied 1-1.
Roddick was irritated by the crowd of about 5,000 that often shouted between his first and second serves. The sixth-ranked American hadn't previously dropped a set to Melzer and extended his career record against the Austrian to 7-0. Roddick closed the match with his 20th ace.
"Clay slows down your serve and he returned well so that frustrated me," Roddick said. "He played too well for me to stay behind. That's why I played more attacking in the decider and fortunately that worked."
Melzer was surprised by Roddick's change of tactics in the final set.
"Until then I dominated the rallies, but his sudden attacks forced me into a couple of errors," Melzer said. "I've had my chances but I was not clever enough on some big points."
Blake led 5-3 in the opening set before Koubek took control. The 55th-ranked Austrian started to dominate from the baseline and won the next five games.
