Replacing Andy and James is no easy task but...
I'm thinking Sam, John, Bob and Mike still make a tall and formidable team.
First up for the new US team is a first round tie in Serbia and suddenly I like there chances. Even though the Serbs have decide to play on clay it's not a surface Sam has shied away from in years past.
John Isner is currently ranked #25 and is having a great year so far including winning his first title in Auckland. Sam is #31 and feeling his way back to form after injury took him out of the back-end of 2009.
Sam has played one tie previously in 2008 and recorded two singles losses. But spare a thought - he was asked to travel to Madrid and play on clay. And against Rafa. He'll be eager to get a win under his belt.
Davis Cup coach Patrick McEnroe said of his new team members, "Both guys have really stepped up their games and are more than ready to take on the challenge of going on the road to face Serbia. We have had great commitment from our players in the past and expect the same from John and Sam in the years ahead."
About the photos: I shot them both on the same day at the Los Angeles Open last summer. The first is Sam Querrey during a practice session. The second is John Isner being tended to after twisting his ankle. He got up and closed out the match but was forced to withdraw from his quarterfinal match the next day.
Comments