All E On Rafter In Davis Cup Semis

Perhaps the greatest collection of talent ever to meet in a Davis Cup match gathered on the steps of the Capitol on Thursday, yet nothing - not even Todd Martin’s fainting spell - could take the focus off the new hot-shot heartthrob from Australia.

Patrick Rafter, fresh off a surprise championship at the U.S. Open and the fame and celebrations that followed, leads the Australians against the United States in the semifinal matches starting today at the FitzGerald Tennis Center.

“Patrick now is kind of a marked man,” said Pete Sampras of the United States, the world’s top-ranked player. “We’ll see if he can back it up.”

Looking for a more personal payback is Michael Chang, who was beaten in straight sets by Rafter in the U.S. Open semifinals just when it seemed Chang was on the way to his first Grand Slam title in eight years. With that in mind, when did Chang start thinking about this weekend’s rematch?

“The next day,” said Chang, who was drawn to play Rafter in today’s first match.

This weekend’s best-of-5 contest is the first in Davis Cup history to feature the world’s top three singles players (Sampras, Chang, Rafter) as well as the top-ranked doubles team (Australia’s Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde).

The winner will face either Italy or Sweden in the finals in late November.

Martin, who is scheduled to play doubles for the U.S. with Jim Courier Saturday, is questionable. He was taken to the U.S. Capitol infirmary after collapsing on the Capitol steps. He’s “in no danger” after suffering from dehydration and a stomach virus, a U.S. Tennis Association spokesman said.