Roddick fuelled by Davis Cup passion

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Andy Roddick has been passionate about the Davis Cup since watching the 1992 final and says victory over Russia to win this year's title would achieve a lifelong ambition.

Big-serving Roddick, the world number six, will spearhead the American challenge against the defending champions when the three-day tie starts on Friday in Portland, Oregon.

"I went to my first Davis Cup tie, the '92 final, when I was nine or 10 years old," Roddick told reporters at Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday. "I saw possibly the greatest Davis Cup team ever play and win there."

Tennis greats John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Jim Courier earned the United States a 3-1 victory over Switzerland in that year's final in Fort Worth, Texas.

"It really struck a chord with me and I've always been excited about Davis Cup," added Roddick, who made his debut in the global team competition as an 18-year-old in 2001.

"It's always been a huge priority for me and it's been on my list of goals to accomplish, the top couple of things since I started. I'm glad to be here."

The 25-year-old Texas resident will team up with James Blake and the Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, as the Americans seek their first Davis Cup triumph since 1995 on clay in Moscow.

Roddick has beaten Russia's top player, Nikolay Davydenko, in their five career meetings but is prepared to sacrifice that record for the team cause.