At Davis Cup, Spain's gain is Americans' pain

SANTANDER, Spain (AP) -- The goal of the U.S. Davis Cup team now is simple: Make the score respectable.

There are no illusions among John McEnroe and his merriless men that they have a realistic chance of beating Spain after losing the first two singles matches Friday.

A loss in the doubles Saturday or either of the singles matches Sunday and it's all over. Spain would be in its first final in 33 years and going for its first Davis Cup title ever against Australia in Barcelona in December.

"This isn't going to get easier, this is going to get tougher," McEnroe said after watching Alex Corretja wear down Jan-Michael Gambill in four sets and Albert Costa take Todd Martin in three.

"Tomorrow they're just going to go for broke. This (doubles) is the match they least expected to win. This would be like gravy if they win. So at least we have to get on the board and show them that we're here to compete and try to make this interesting, make them sweat a little bit."

McEnroe said he's thinking about putting Gambill or Martin with Chris Woodruff for doubles, rather than Woodruff and Vince Spadea as originally announced. Either way, the chances of the United States coming back to win are slim.

The 20th Century passed without Spanish players winning the Davis Cup, and McEnroe figures another millennium may go by if they don't do it this year, first by beating an American team slapped together at the last minute, and then by downing the Australians on clay.

"It's not entirely shocking," McEnroe said. "Everyone knew it wouldn't be easy. These guys are rough on this stuff.

"This is a great opportunity for them. They get to play us ... and people still view us, whoever we bring, as this great Goliath.