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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Nalbandian brings Argentina level | Nalbandian brings Argentina level |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| David Nalbandian completed a straight-sets win over Marat Safin to pull Argentina level with Russia at 1-1 in the Davis Cup final in Moscow. | David Nalbandian completed a straight-sets win over Marat Safin to pull Argentina level with Russia at 1-1 in the Davis Cup final in Moscow. |
| The world number eight overpowered Safin 6-4 6-4 6-4, breaking early in the first two sets and then in the seventh game of the third set. | The world number eight overpowered Safin 6-4 6-4 6-4, breaking early in the first two sets and then in the seventh game of the third set. |
| Nikolay Davydenko had given Russia the lead in the tie by beating Juan Ignacio Chela in the opening rubber. | Nikolay Davydenko had given Russia the lead in the tie by beating Juan Ignacio Chela in the opening rubber. |
| The world number three claimed a 6-1 6-2 5-7 6-4 victory. | The world number three claimed a 6-1 6-2 5-7 6-4 victory. |
| Davydenko, who had lost his five previous matches against Chela, dominated the first two sets, breaking his opponent twice in the opener and twice more in the second. | Davydenko, who had lost his five previous matches against Chela, dominated the first two sets, breaking his opponent twice in the opener and twice more in the second. |
| Chela took the third but Davydenko took control in the fourth to win in just over three hours. | Chela took the third but Davydenko took control in the fourth to win in just over three hours. |
| Despite serving 21 aces, Safin, the former US and Australian Open champion struggled at times against Nalbandian. | |
| "It was a very tough match. It was a three-setter but when he served his first serve well sometimes I could do nothing," said Nalbandian, who sealed victory with an ace. "I think I played a very good match. It's very good for me that we played in three sets as I will have to play tomorrow and on Sunday. But now I feel fresh." | |
| Nalbandian will be back in action in Saturday's doubles when he teams up with Agusin Calleri against Mikhail Youzhny and Dmitry Tursunov. | |
| 606 DEBATE: Your views on all the action in the Davis Cup final | 606 DEBATE: Your views on all the action in the Davis Cup final |
| The tie is taking place on the fast carpet surface at the Olympic Sports Complex in Moscow. | The tie is taking place on the fast carpet surface at the Olympic Sports Complex in Moscow. |
| Russia are playing in the Davis Cup final for the first time since beating France to win the 2002 title. | Russia are playing in the Davis Cup final for the first time since beating France to win the 2002 title. |
| Argentina, who lost to the United States in the 1981 final, are making only their second appearance. | Argentina, who lost to the United States in the 1981 final, are making only their second appearance. |
| But they are receiving support from Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, who is in Moscow for the final. | But they are receiving support from Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, who is in Moscow for the final. |
| Friday (starting 1000 GMT):Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) bt Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg)Marat Safin (Rus) lost to David Nalbandian (Arg) | Friday (starting 1000 GMT):Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) bt Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg)Marat Safin (Rus) lost to David Nalbandian (Arg) |
| Saturday (1100GMT):Mikhail Youzhny/Dmitry Tursunov (Rus) v David Nalbandian/Agustin Calleri (Arg) | Saturday (1100GMT):Mikhail Youzhny/Dmitry Tursunov (Rus) v David Nalbandian/Agustin Calleri (Arg) |
| Sunday (1000 GMT):Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) v David Nalbandian (Arg)Marat Safin (Rus) v Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg) | Sunday (1000 GMT):Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) v David Nalbandian (Arg)Marat Safin (Rus) v Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg) |