Korda holds key for Czechs against US

THE ABSENCE of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi from the United States Davis cup squad because of scheduling and travel problems could prove crucial in Prague this weekend.

While they were not missed in the 5-0 first round whitewash of Mexico, the Czech Republic are expected to prove a much tougher proposition.

Todd Martin will again spearhead the American side and will open against Daniel Vacek today. MaliVai Washington will face Petr Korda in the second singles.

"We have come with the best team we could of the players who could come and we've come to play the best tennis we can," said US captain Tom Gullikson.

The Czechs are looking to a fit again Korda to provide the spark. He helped the team sweep Hungary aside 5-0 in the first round, won the Qatar Open in January and stretched Michael Chang to three sets last week in the fourth round of the Lipton Championships.

"The key to our team moving on is if Korda can beat Martin. He is a player of the elite class and when he has an on day, he can beat anyone," said Czech Tennis Association president and former Wimbledon champion Jan Kodes.

In Limoges, Germany will not use Boris Becker for singles against France as the Australian Open champion continues his recovery from bronchitis.

But Becker is with the team and could still play in the doubles on, tomorrow if captain Nikki Pilic feels he needs to make a change.

The Germans are already without the injured Michael Stich, so Pilic has chosen David Prinosil and Hendrik Dreekman for singles. They meet Cedric Pioline and Arnaud Boetsch respectively today.

French captain Yannick Noah said: "The Germans beat Switzerland 5-0 in the first round without Stich and Becker, but I think we have a good chance. I have a good feeling going into this match. I'm confident."

In Calcutta, 1994 champions Sweden will have to cope with increasing heat and humidity against an Indian side happier in the conditions. Jonas Bjorkman will take on Leander Paes in the opening singles with Thomas Enqvist meeting Mahesh Bhupathi in the second on the grass courts at the South Club.

Feelings have been running as high as the temperature. Swedish captain Carl Axel Hageskog said: "The Indians have been really difficult, it feels like they want to muck us around on purpose."

In Rome, the public at the Foro Italico is likely to be one of Italy's major weapons against South Africa.

"Against Russia the support of the crowd was crucial. It's very important that it should be sold out. Only with the fans in a frenzy can we beat a team that looks stronger on paper," said non playing captain Adriano Panatta.

Italy field the team who beat Russia, with Renzo Furlan and Andrea Gaudenzi facing Wayne Ferreira and Marcos Ondruska in the singles.

Panatta sees Ondruska as South Africa's weak link. "If we succeed, as I believe we can, in beating Ondruska in the two singles matches, then the doubles' will again by the key to the tie," he said.