US say spectre of absent Federer won't haunt Davis Cup tennis tie

James Blake said he won't be losing any sleep over the absence of Roger Federer as the Davis Cup World Group tie between the United States and Switzerland begins Friday. "I've been sleeping real well," said the American, who is hoping to revive his own fortunes in the global tennis competition after sitting out last autumn's losing semi-final against Spain due to fatigue and lack of motivation. Federer, training at his base in Dubai along with possible coaching candidate Darren Cahill prior to returning to tennis at next week's Masters 1000 in Indian wells, California, is skipping the tie. The official reason is the back pain which occasionally bothers the world number 2 and which also kept him out of his "home" ATP event in the emirate last week. His absence makes the United States the favorites against a Swiss side led by 16th-ranked Stan Wawrinka, and Blake won't be wondering about what might have been with Federer out of the mix. American number one Andy Roddick agreed that for this weekend at least, Federer does not matter. "The fact that he's not here is irrelevant. "We're playing and he's not on the team. This tie is about players who are here - that's what I'm focused on, as is the rest of our team." Blake will start the weekend Friday as he opens against Wawrinka. with Roddick and Marco Chiudinelli to follow. In Saturday's doubles, the America's Bryan brothers will face the Swiss pairing of Wawrinka and Yves Allegro. Roddick will lead the Sunday clash in reverse singles as he faces Wawrinka, with Chiudinelli to line up against Blake. Blake has plenty on his plate to worry about with his own game, returning to his first tie in a year. With a semi-final appearance in San Jose his best result this season - after an Australian Open fourth-round exit and a first-round loss at his most recent tournament, the 29-year-old is keen to lift his level. "It's a great feeling being back," said Blake, who added: "2008 really caught up with me. "I was just so tired by the time we were to play Spain. But I learned my lesson about schedding too much. That was apparent to me at the US Open. I would not have been the best man for the job in that tie and probably would not have been able to change the scoreline." Swiss coach Severin Luethi said that opener Wawrinka is key to his team's hopes. "We will sit down at the end of Friday and see where we stand. If Stan can win the first rubber, we will be in a very good position. "That will be a big advantage for us."

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