Sportmaster International

Moscow - Marat Safin is counting on surging Russian teammate Nikolay Davydenko to put the early heat on David Nalbandian as the hosts face Argentina in Friday’s start of the Davis Cup final. Newly married world number 3 Davydenko has put his honeymoon on hold for the weekend tie which would cap a breakthrough tennis season. Davydenko will begin his work against Argentine number 2 Juan Chela with Safin to follow against Nalbandian. Davydenko won five titles this season, including the Kremlin Cup in Moscow on indoor carpet, following up with a trophy

at the Paris Masters. Safin is hoping that all-purpose Nalbandian will feel the pressure if Davydenko can begin with a victory against Chela to put the visitors into an early deficit. ‘Nikolay has better chances to beat Chela,’ said two-time Grand Slam champion Safin. ‘I didn’t want to play too early. ‘I want Nalbandian to feel some pressure. If Nikolay beats Chela, Nalbandian will be feeling the pressure, plus he’ll also be playing doubles (on Saturday).’ Added Safin: ‘It will be good for me. He will realize the stakes in this tie will be higher. Hopefully we can finish it off in two days.’ The hosts will send Dmitry Tursunov and Mikhail Youzhny into the Saturday doubles against Agustin Calleri and Nalbandian. In Sunday’s reverse singles, Davydenko takes on Nalbandian while Safin plays Chela. The final will be the fourth for Russia which won the title in 2002 against France in Paris. Youzhny played the hero at the Bercy arena, coming from two sets to love down in the deciding rubber over Paul-Henri Mathieu. Argentina swept to a 5-0 win in the quarter-finals at home over the Russians three years ago. Russian coach Shamil Tarpishev is putting his faith in the singles prowess of Davydenko and Safin after early-week training evaluation. ‘He who is the best of shape plays the Davis Cup tie,’ said the skipper. ‘This is my principle. I believe that Davydenko and Safin are exactly the players who can show the best results.’ Argentine captain Alberto Mancini said he also considered Chela’s spotless 5-0 career mark over Davydenko, with the pair last meeting in August on American cement. ‘I’m very confident,’ said number 33 Chela. ‘I’ve practised very well all week. I’m ready to play tomorrow, to fight, to try to win.’ Nalbandian, his ranking is down to eighth at season’s end, said that he’s not worried about fatigue during the demanding final weekend of 2006. The Argentine owns just two victories against Safin in eight meetings dating to 2002. But Nalbandian won their last a month ago in Madrid, a tight three-setter featuring a pair of tiebreakers. ‘He’s a great player, but I’m not afraid of him,’ the South American said of Safin. ‘I’m very confident for tomorrow. He’s a great player, but I’ll be ready.’ © 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur