VERSAILLES, France -- France's Davis Cup captain knows all about Pete Sampras' struggles on clay, and now Guy Forget is a bit disappointed the U.S. Open champion won't be playing for the United States.

"At one stage, I almost hoped he (Sampras) would come,'' Forget said Thursday. "He might have messed up and played a mediocre match.''

Sampras extended his record of Grand Slam singles titles to 14 by winning the U.S. Open last Sunday. He then told U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe he wasn't ready to play against defending champion France at Roland Garros, home of the French Open.

Sampras lost in the first round of this year's French Open, and has never advanced past the semifinals on its red clay surface.

"Sampras sometimes loses control on clay when he's not feeling confident,'' Forget said.

Forget hoped Sampras would draw big crowds to Roland Garros, where France last played the United States in the 1932 final. France won that match 3-2, but trails the United States 6-7 overall.

Andre Agassi, who won the 1999 French Open, also declined to play for the United States. That works to France's advantage.

"Yes,'' Forget said. "We know his ability to play on clay.''

McEnroe's team consists of Andy Roddick, James Blake, Todd Martin and Mardy Fish. The French team includes Sebastien Grosjean, Arnaud Clement, Fabrice Santoro and Mickael Llodra.

"For Agassi, it was predictable (that he wouldn't come) -- he had said so for a long time,'' Forget said of the U.S. Open runner-up. "For Sampras, it was a bit more surprising.''

The United States has won the Davis Cup 31 times, more than any other nation, but hasn't taken the title since 1995. France, the defending champion, has won nine times.