Birmingham, Alabama  - James Blake crumbled under serving pressure as Stan Wawrinka handed Switzerland the 1-0 lead over the heavily favoured US on Friday in their Davis Cup World Group first round.

The 16th-ranked Swiss fought back in three hours to secure a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) win against Blake, whose game has been off the boil for six months.

"I feel bad about letting the team down," said Blake. "But the team has picked me up many times before. After I beat myself up for a few more hours, I'll be ready to play on Sunday."

Birmingham, Alabama  - James Blake will be hoping for Davis Cup rehabilitation when he opens the tie against Switzerland for the 32-time champion United States on Friday.

The world number 13 missed last September's losing semi-final against Spain in Madrid, calling himself burnt out.

This season has not been much better for Blake, but the American is at least more convinced of his chances as the Swiss and the Americans play for the third time.

Melbourne  - James Blake quietly celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama from the Australian Open, the American proud to have donated to the political cause.

"It's a very significant inauguration, a very significant presidency to have the first African American in power," said the former Harvard student known for his views outside of the court. "I really think there's no one better qualified for the job than Barack Obama right now."

Paris - James Blake said that injures which forced Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to quit the Paris Masters "couldn't be a clearer signal that the year is too long."

The American, who lost 6-4, 6-3 in Saturday's Bercy semi-final against Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga, will miss a trip to the season-ending masters Cup in Shanghai for the second straight year after playing the 2006 final against Federer.

Federer withdrew prior to a Friday quarter-final with back pain while Nadal quit with knee problems after losing the first set against Nikolay Davydenko the same day.