Andre Agassi will lead the United States team against the Russians in the first-round of the Davis Cup in Stone Mountain, Ga.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov, ranked No. 6 in the world, is scheduled to meet Jim Courier in the first singles match today, and he will join with Andrei Olhovskiy for tomorrow's doubles and take on Agassi in the reverse singles on Sunday.
The Americans have won the Davis Cup 31 times, more than any other country, but they haven't triumphed since their 1995 victory over Russia.
Last year, the U.S. team was humiliated in the final by Sweden, 5-0.
Elsewhere, Sweden will be without three of its top players as the Davis Cup champions open defense of the title in Slovakia. Jonas Bjorkman is ill, Thomas Enqvist ailing, and doubles specialist Nicklas Kulti at home with his wife -- who just gave birth.