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The visitors come into the contest at the Ferry Dusika Hallenstadion heavy favourites through Roddick's number six ranking and the 12th spot of compatriot James Blake.

 Tennis twins Bob and Mike Bryan boast a 13-1 record in Davis Cup play.

 Roddick opens the indoor clay tie on Friday against Jurgen Melzer, with the American standing a formidable 6-0 in that series. Blake plays second fiddle for yet another time, his match against Austrian Stefan Koubek drawn second.

 "I've can't remember when I've had a first match," said Blake, who lost to Koubek in their first meeting six years ago but was a winner at the US Open in 2007.

 "But I'm used to Andy going first. I enjoy watching his matches. Hopefully Andy will get us the first point and I can add another. I've never played Koubek on clay, it should be a tough match."

   All of the Austrians are ranked in the 50s in singles, with Julian Knowle the exception to the rule with a sixth standing in doubles.

 Roddick has not hid his disappointment that holders and finalists do not get first-round byes in the competition, which begins its season only weeks after the previous year's final.

 But the 25-year-old is also in need of solid results after an ill-tempered loss against German Philipp Kohlschreiber which could have sapped confidence in the third round of the Australian Open.

 "It will be a tough match, even with the ranking difference," said the American. "We're playing on clay in Austria and they have their home public behind them,

   Saturday's doubles will be led by the Bryan brothers against Knowle and Melzer. In reverse singles, Roddick plays Koubek and Blake takes on Melzer.

 In Moscow, 2007 finalist Russia will be without Marat Safin, diagnosed with a leg injury. The absence could vive a boost to opponent Serbia, with Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic leading the way.

 Russian officials said the Safin was suffering with a minor leg fracture which prevented him from running at full speed.

 A burned-out Safin skipped December's finals loss to the US in Portland but was key in lifting the title a year earlier over Argentina.

 Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Youzhny and Dmitry Tursunov are likely to be joined by Igor Andreev as a replacement on the indoor hardcourt.

 Djokovic will be provisionally used in all three rubbers, starting the weekend against Youzhny. Number 114 Viktor Troicki faces world number four Nikolay Davydenko in the second rubber,

   Djokovic knows he needs to put his recent triumph to the side.

 "I've been going through a lot of great emotions. I feel very proud and happy, but now I have to turn around and not forget about winning a Grand Slam but just try to focus on the continuation of my season."

   In Romania, Melbourne finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga makes his Davis Cup debut for France, following with a match against veteran Andrei Pavel after Richard Gasquet opens against Victor Hanescu.

 Spain are without Rafael Nadal (fatigue) and David Ferrer (foot) in Lima against Peru, while old campaigners Jonas Bjorkman and Thomas Johansson spearhead Sweden in Israel.

 In other ties, the Czech Republic play Belgium, Argentina have the huge advantage over Britain minus Andy Murray in Buenos Aires on clay and Germany face visiting South Korea.

By Bill Scott, dpa