Davis Cup: Andy vs Johansson

In the first rubber of the USA’s crucial Davis Cup semi final tie against Sweden, Andy will take on Joachim “Pim Pim” Johansson.Johansson is somewhat of a surprise inclusion in the Swedish squad after suffering another long injury layoff throughout most of 2007. The 162 ranked Swede has been off the tour since retiring in the first round of the Australian Open at the start of this year. Johansson has not been a force on the ATP tour since early 2005, and enjoyed a lot of success in 2004, winning a title in Memphis, and reaching the US open semi finals.

Check out more about Johansson courtesy of these ATP stats:

Birthdate: 1-Jul-82
Birthplace: Lund, Sweden
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 6’6’’ (198 cm)
Weight: 198 lbs (89 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2000
Coach: Johan Landsberg
Current ATP Ranking – Singles: 162
Career High ATP Ranking – Singles: 9 (14-Feb-05)
Current ATP Race – Singles: 148

Andy has played Johansson twice before, both in 2004. Andy beat Johansson in straight sets in San Jose, before losing a very close five set match in the US Open quarter finals.

Understandably, after Johansson’s long absence from the tour, Andy isn’t entirely sure what to expect when the pair meet in Gothenburg on Friday: “We haven’t seen Pim-Pim play in over a year, so I don’t think anybody can sit here and say they know what to expect from him.

“I think we have a lot of respect for how he’s able to play. He’s very dangerous. But, like I said, I haven’t seen him play for a long time. I don’t know if I can sit here and analyze the match at all.”

In the pre-tie press conference, all the team were asked to comment on the surface for the weekend, and Andy for one is pretty pleased with it: “I like the surface. I feel like it’s a good surface for us actually. We came here, first couple practices I felt like we were all hitting the ball pretty well. I think we’re happy with it.”

The tie gets underway at 3pm CET on Friday afternoon, with Andy and Pim Pim up first, followed by James Blake vs Thomas Johansson.

Go USA!