THERE is only one Auld Enemy when it comes to the Davis Cup.

Not only did a group of American students from the Harvard University Tennis Club establish this tournament back in 1900, envisaging it as a Ryder Cup-style play-off against Great Britain, one of their number, Dwight Davis, was prepared to stump up for the silverware.

Eventually others were allowed in on the party - France, Austria, Belgium and Australasia provided the next wave, in 1905 - but in the 115 years inclusive of that that first contest at the Longwood Cricket Club in Boston, Team USA have presented themselves with their own trophy on a record 32 occasions. Unlike their hosts this weekend, who not so long ago were languishing in the depths of Euro/Africa Zone 2, you have to go back to 1989 for the last time they weren't represented in the world group. The Brits, on the other hand, are aiming to defeat the USA on home soil for the first time since a 5-0 win on Centre Court at Wimbledon in 1935.

Things aren't quite so doodle dandy for the Yanks right now, though. While their current Davis Cup ranking of eight might make them narrow favourites against an 11th ranked Great Britain side, Jim Courier is in charge of a transitional team. Defeated by the Brits on a converted baseball stadium in San Diego as recently as this February, and holding out for a hero in the mould of John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi or even their captain himself, Courier has thrown his lot in with John Isner, the 6ft 10in World No 20, and Donald Young, the World No 47, although the presence of Bob and Mike Bryan, the best doubles pairing in the history of the sport, is rather more comforting.

Young, who faces Andy Murray first up today, is a man for whom the world is still waiting. Eleven years have now elapsed since this native of Chicago turned professional to such fanfare as a 14-year-old in 2004. As the youngest-ever year end Junior No 1, and the first-ever Afro American, wild predictions abounded that he was fated to become the tennis equivalent of Tiger Woods. Those two junior Slam wins, however, have only ever been translated into sporadic senior successes. The left-hander does have a tour win against Andy Murray on his resume, back during one of the Scot's fallow periods in 2011, but he still feels his best is to come.

"It was tough," he said recently. "A lot of people came in with expectations, thinking I would jump right in and start winning. I never thought so but it didn't really happen that way. I learned to keep competing and working hard. I feel my time will come."

Whether it arrives this weekend remains to be seen. Having been dispatched in short order by the Scot in February in what was his first-ever Davis Cup tie, Young knows he will be a major underdog this afternoon. Although his form in recent weeks won him the nod over Sam Querrey, the languid big Californian who was defeated by James Ward in February, his chances aren't exactly helped by a spot of tendinitis in his elbow.

'It was very exciting and an honour to be asked to play," said Young. "John was hurt, I was there as a back-up and had the chance to play. But now I feel a lot more comfortable and confident than I was last year. That was my first Davis Cup match, so I had a ton of nerves at the start of the match. And it was always going to be tough, anyway, because he's a great player."

At least Young has managed to master Murray - a man who usually seems to rise to the challenge toppling the big men of tennis. While the big-serving Isner has the capacity to extend even the best players into tie breaks, Murray has won all three of their previous meetings on the tour. Isner's first priority, though, is avoiding any mistakes against James Ward, the World No 111, a friend against whom he lost an exhibition match in Kooyong recently.

"The court is fine," said Isner. "It may neutralise my serve a little bit. I've known James for quite a while now. We've practised together quite a few times in Florida and practised at tournaments.

"I don't believe I've ever played him on the ATP Tour," he added. "But I did play him in that exhibition. It was about two months ago, the atmosphere wasn't as electric as it will be here. So I don't draw too much from that match. Maybe he does.

"Players can sometimes rise to the occasion and play really well. You are not playing for yourself, you are playing for your country out there. I've certainly had some very good wins being the underdog before. And some bad losses when I was the favourite. Even though I'm ranked ahead of James, I know it's going to be tough. I anticipate that he will play well - but I expect myself to play well too."