PARIS -- Andy Roddick and James Blake are running out of chances to change the United States' luck on the red clay of Roland Garros.

The Americans skidded and tumbled on their way to singles defeats Friday at the home of the French Open, leaving their team down 0-2 in the Davis Cup semifinals and in need of a comeback in the best-of-five competition.

	James Blake and the U.S. now must win their next three matches.

Roddick lost first, 4-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 6-1 to Arnaud Clement on an overcast center court. Blake followed with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-7 (7), 7-5 loss to Sebastien Grosjean, and both Americans returned to their locker rooms coated in red dirt and feeling miserable.

"I'm extremely disappointed that I lost,'' Roddick said. "Grand Slams, it's for yourself; it's almost selfish. Here, I'm playing for a whole team and a whole country. It goes a lot deeper.''

Russia also took a 2-0 lead in its Davis Cup semifinal against Argentina, as Marat Safin and Yevgeny Kafelnikov won their matches in Moscow. Safin defeated Juan Ignacio Chela 6-7 (1), 7-5, 7-5, 6-1, while Kafelnikov beat Gaston Gaudio, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 8-6.

As for the United States, it must win the last three matches to reach its first Davis Cup final since 1997. The Americans have won the Cup a record 31 times, but their last title was in 1995.

France could clinch a spot in the final with a victory in Saturday's doubles match. Fabrice Santoro and Mickael Llodraof are scheduled to play Todd Martin and Mardy Fish, who have never played together in competition. The reverse singles matches will be played Sunday.

There is a possibility Blake could replace the inexperienced Fish.

"Tomorrow (Saturday) is the biggest match,'' said McEnroe, who has until one hour before the doubles to change the pairing. "If James feels good, I'd lean toward putting him in.''

The only time the U.S. has come back from an 0-2 deficit in the Davis Cup was in the 1934 inter-zone final against Australia. There have been only 40 comebacks from 0-2 down in the history of the tournament, which began in 1900.

"I still think we can do it,'' McEnroe said. "I'm very optimistic about the team and the future for these guys.''

But to get through this weekend, they'll first have to get comfortable with clay.

France beat the United States in the 1932 final for the first of five consecutive championships at Roland Garros, the last time the teams played a Davis Cup match on the red clay.

Roddick began the first match brilliantly, overpowering Clement with his heavy serve and firing 20 total aces to the Frenchman's 13.

Clement responded with lengthy exchanges -- perfectly suited to the slow clay and designed to force big-hitters like Roddick into error. He also out-volleyed his opponent, and at one point Roddick fell on his back.

"I don't know if he could have played another match like that on another surface,'' Roddick said.

Clement sealed victory when Roddick sent a backhand into the net for his 47th unforced error. Roddick's Davis Cup record is now 7-1, and he is 0-2 against Clement.

"As far as enjoyment goes, that was my No. 1 match,'' Clement said. "As far as quality of play goes, it was in the top two.''

Blake dropped the first two sets, but recovered in the third set -- taking a spectacular fall in the 11th game -- and saved three match points before winning the tiebreaker.

Fans chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A!'' as the dreadlocked American moved up 4-1 in the fourth set, but wasted a 40-0 lead in the final game before Grosjean closed with a forehand volley.

"This is the most disappointed I've ever been in myself in my life,'' Blake said. "I've never felt worse, or like I've let my team down more.''

Blake's Davis Cup record is now 5-1. It was his second defeat against Grosjean, who stopped him in the second round of this year's French Open.

Though the United States is facing a touch challenge to come back, Roddick is not worried.

"It's definitely not over,'' Roddick said. "We're going to fight to the end.''