Sweden include Joachim Johansson in Davis Cup squad

STOCKHOLM, Sep 11 (Reuters) World number 157 Joachim Johansson has been included in Sweden's squad for next week's Davis Cup semi-final against the United States.

The nominations were announced on Tuesday and the former world number nine was named alongside Thomas Johansson and doubles specialists Jonas Bjorkman and Simon Aspelin.

Giant server Joachim Johansson takes the place of Robin Soderling, Sweden's highest ranked player at 34, who has a wrist injury and is unlikely to recover in time for the tie in Gothenburg on Sept. 21-23.

Joachim Johansson was briefly ranked ninth in the world in 2005 but underwent surgery later that year and has since had little match practice with recurrent shoulder and elbow injuries. He has not played a competitive match since January.

'''Pim-Pim' (Johansson) has been looking fresh during training in Gothenburg,'' said assistant coach Joakim Nystrom, adding that the 25-year-old was injury free.

''We know he can enter a tie with no match practice and still pull off an upset, especially on the surface in Scandinavium,'' added Nystrom, referring to the fast indoor court the tie will be played on.

Thomas Johansson, the 2002 Australian Open champion, is set to take the other singles role.

The United States have named Andy Roddick, James Blake and brothers Bob and Mike Bryan in their squad.

Back in 2004, Joachim Johansson beat Roddick in a five-setter on the way to the U.S Open semi-finals where he eventually lost to Lleyton Hewitt.

Soderling could still be called into the squad by captain Mats Wilander if he recovers before the draw on Sept. 20.

In the doubles, Bjorkman could team up with any of the other three squad members. Aspelin could challenge for the spot as the U.S Open doubles champion and Bjorkman had success with both the Johanssons in the past.

The other semi-final tie is between Russia and Germany in Moscow.

REUTERS PDS HS1924