US, France without key players for Davis Cup

Harrison is not fazed about taking on the French on clay.

“Where I grew up in Louisiana I had 12 clay courts, and I grew up playing (on clay), so I’m very comfortable sliding,” he said.

He’ll be the lowest-ranked player to play a live singles match for the Americans since Fish _ then ranked 74th _ in the first round in Croatia in 2003.

The 11th-ranked Isner knows the pressure is on him, although he is trying not to think that way.

“Obviously, now I’m the No. 1,” the 26-year-old said. “It doesn’t change anything. I got to go out there on Friday and try to win a match for us.”

The United States has won 32 Davis Cups, France nine. This is the 16th match between the nations dating back to 1905, with the U.S. leading 8-7 overall, and winning the last meeting 4-1 at home in the 2008 quarterfinals.

“France is a very deep team … there are going to be five tough matches for us,” Courier said. “We have to play our best to stand a chance. We did that with Switzerland. We’ll be well prepared.”

The winner plays Spain or Austria in the semifinals in September.

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