Davis Cup: No Safin surprise

2007-11-28 13:32

Portland - Visiting titleholders Russia are resigned to playing the Davis Cup final against the United States starting on Friday without the services of Marat Safin as the former number one tries to recover from another horror season.

The holders are sticking to the announced side of Nikolay Davydenko (fourth in the world), the 19th-ranked Mikhail Youzhny, Igor Andreev (33rd) and California-based Dmitry Tursunov, one spot behind.

"These guys are playing better than Marat, he's not going to be here," said Russian captain Shamil Tarpishchev. "This is our strongest team."

Safin ended his season in October after losing six of his last 10 matches and ruled himself out of the final.

Even without their charismatic big man, Russia are aiming to carry on as titleholders after defeating Argentina in Moscow a year ago. Russia are aiming for a third Davis Cup title in six years.

The US, meanwhile, are hoping that a rowdy crowd and the home-court advantage of the Memorial Stadium in this far northwest corner of the country will finally help them break a hoodoo.

It's been a dozen years since the 31-time champion Americans lifted the trophy, the longest dry spell in the nation's history in the international team competition.

"Three points for the team. That's the goal," said Andy Roddick, who is keen to put aside injuries and a modest showing in Shanghai at the Masters Cup.

Roddick and James Blake in singles, plus the dominating Bryan brothers doubles combination, make up the arsenal for the hosts.

The US last hosted a final at home in 1992, beating Switzerland in Fort Worth, Texas.

In 1995, a Pete Sampras-led side lost 3-2 to Russia in a Moscow final. The US also went down to Sweden (1997) and Spain (2004) in trophy match frustrations.

While the Americans have the public relations firepower in the weekend tie, all may not be right with the side.

Roddick emerged to play in Shanghai after missing the autumn season, playing just a handful of matches while claiming injury. He was then troubled by lower back pain in China this month in the season finale.

Blake, winner of five ATP titles in 2006, saw his 2007 collapse in the closing stages, with the 27-year-old notably fragile at key moments and likely short on confidence.

Mike Bryan and his twin Bob were unable to play in Shanghai due to an elbow injury to Mike, the status of which remains unknown.

Roddick and Blake hold an aggregate 11-0 record over Russian singles rival Davydenko, whose season has been distracted by the ATP's anti-corruption investigations.

The Americans still present a solid front, with the team unchanged for more than two years.

"We're going to have to play well," said American skipper Patrick McEnroe. "If our guys play well, with the conditions that we have here with the court and the fans, we like our chances."

Blake, whose record in Davis Cup rubbers which actually count is less than 50%, remains optimistic for a positive outcome.

"We have an opportunity to do something great, bring the Cup back here for the first time since 1995.

"But it's a difficult situation when we're following the greatest generation in the history of American tennis. It's going to be difficult for any one country to dominate the way the US has in the past."

Russia's Tarpishchev said ahead of Thursday's draw that the fast hardcourt chosen by the hosts would put his side on the back foot.

"Back in Moscow (2006 semi-final) we had a slight advantage (on indoor clay) over the American team. Here, the US has the advantage."

- SAPA