HOUSTON, United States (AFP) - Second-ranked Andy Roddick is confident the United States can win the Davis Cup final for the first time since 1995, even though he faces a hostile crowd and tough clay surface next month in Spain.
"It's going to be crazy. We expect that. The good thing is we know what we're getting into when we go over there," Roddick said.
"It's not going to be a surprise. We know it's going to be tough.
"But we go in with the mindset that we just have to try our best to deal with it. We're excited. We feel with the group of guys we've been building for three or four years, to have a chance at the title now, it's very exciting."
Roddick and Spain's Carlos Moya, both here this week for the season-ending ATP Masters Cup, will be crucial to their homeland's chances of capturing the trophy in matches December 3-5 at Seville.
"We know we're the favourites but we have to take advantage of that," Moya said.
"It's going to be really exciting. I'm thinking about it already. I've even been dreaming about that moment. So it's going to be great."
Spain features former French Open champions Moya and Juan Carlos Ferrero plus Tommy Robredo and teen prodigy Rafael Nadal. Roddick is joined by Olympic runner-up Mardy Fish and former doubles world number ones Mike and Bob Bryan.
"There's no pressure no matter what," Roddick said. "We're in a Davis Cup final in a foreign country on not our favorite surface. I look at it as we're the underdogs. I don't know if anybody is expecting a lot from us."
The Americans are 4-2 against Spain, winning their most recent meeting here in a 2002 quarter-final on grass. Spain, which lost to Australia in last year's final at Melbourne, won their only Cup in 2000 at Barcelona over Australia.
Clay courts will give the Spaniards an edge, denying Roddick's power serve game the same edge it would enjoy on hardcourts.
"It's no secret that's not our favourite surface. But that's what we have to deal with. We go in knowing that," Roddick said. "There are no surprises. We're going to try to win three matches. You just have to simplify your thinking.
"So far in my career I've had a lot of success against those guys. But I haven't played them on clay that much."
Moya is counting on 23,000 screaming supporters to provide a lift as well.
"When Spain is playing at home, we always have an advantage," he said.
"It's going to be very interesting because they have a strong team also. It's going to be very tight. The people are amazing. They are going to support us a lot."
"We've won 11 straight ties at home so I think we are the favourite. But the US team is playing very well. They have a strong team, very balanced. They have two good singles, very good doubles. It's not going to be easy."
Roddick said the US capturing the Cup would rival a Grand Slam triumph.
"It's tough to compare the two. They're both huge," he said. "If we're able to bring the Davis Cup back, then it will be something special for all of us."
11/15/2004 - 21:52 GMT - AFP