PARIS -- Andy Roddick will open the U.S. team's Davis Cup semifinal Friday against defending champion France by playing Arnaud Clement.

	Davis Cup draw
	Roddick Friday's singles Arnaud Clement, France, vs. Andy Roddick, United States Sebastien Grosjean, France, vs. James Blake, United States Saturday's doubles Fabrice Santoro and Michael Llodra, France, vs. Todd Martin and Mardy Fish, United States Sunday's reverse singles Sebastien Grosjean, France, vs. Andy Roddick, United States Arnaud Clement, France, vs. James Blake, United States

"I like playing on the big stage and it doesn't get much bigger than a semifinal out there on the big court,'' Roddick said following Thursday's draw.

The second singles match at Roland Garros, home of the French Open, will be between James Blake and Sebastien Grosjean, France's highest-ranked player.

Argentina plays Russia in the other semifinal. Marat Safin opens play Friday against Juan Ignacio Chela, followed by Yevgeny Kafelnikov vs. Gaston Gaudio. Kafelnikov, owner of two Grand Slam tournament titles, says he'll retire if Russia wins.

The U.S. holds the record for the most Davis Cup titles with 31 victories, but hasn't won since 1995. It last reached the final in 1997. France has won the event nine times. The two countries have met in 13 ties, and the U.S. leads 7-6. The last time they played at Roland Garros was in 1932, when France won 3-2.

The doubles match Saturday would be between Fabrice Santoro and Michael Llodra of France and Todd Martin and Mardy Fish of the United States. The reverse singles take place Sunday.

U.S. team captain Patrick McEnroe said a final decision on the doubles team could be based on "what happens Friday and what the score is.''

Blake is a possible replacement for the doubles team. Blake and Martin won their doubles match against Spain in last April's Davis Cup quarterfinals.

Roddick lost his only previous singles match against Clement at the World Team Cup last May.

"I know his strong points and his weak points,'' Clement said. "But there will be no similarities between the match at Duesseldorf and (Friday's) match.''

Grosjean beat Blake in their only previous match in the second round of this year's French Open. Blake is 5-0 in Davis Cup matches, including two wins in doubles, while Roddick has won all seven of his Cup matches.

Grosjean has an 8-6 Cup record, while Clement, the 2001 Australian Open finalist, is 5-4. Both have played only singles.