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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Safin seals Russian Davis Cup win | Safin seals Russian Davis Cup win |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Russia clinched their second Davis Cup title with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Argentina in Moscow. | Russia clinched their second Davis Cup title with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Argentina in Moscow. |
| Marat Safin, inspired by the passionate home crowd, claimed a 6-3 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-5) win over Jose Acasuso in the deciding singles rubber. | Marat Safin, inspired by the passionate home crowd, claimed a 6-3 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-5) win over Jose Acasuso in the deciding singles rubber. |
| David Nalbandian had earlier kept Argentina's hopes alive after beating Russia's Nikolay Davydenko in the penultimate singles match. | David Nalbandian had earlier kept Argentina's hopes alive after beating Russia's Nikolay Davydenko in the penultimate singles match. |
| Nalbandian won 6-2 6-2 4-6 6-4 to draw the tie level at 2-2. | Nalbandian won 6-2 6-2 4-6 6-4 to draw the tie level at 2-2. |
| Safin, the former US Open and Australian Open champion, had been drawn to play Juan Ignacio Chela in the final match, but Argentina captain Alberto Mancini replaced him with Acasuso. | Safin, the former US Open and Australian Open champion, had been drawn to play Juan Ignacio Chela in the final match, but Argentina captain Alberto Mancini replaced him with Acasuso. |
| It was Acasuso's first appearance in the final although he was unbeaten in his four previous Davis Cup matches this year. | It was Acasuso's first appearance in the final although he was unbeaten in his four previous Davis Cup matches this year. |
| The Russian, who had won only one of his previous three meetings with Acasuso, came out strongly, breaking his rival's first service game to move ahead 3-0 and he served out the first set in 30 minutes. | The Russian, who had won only one of his previous three meetings with Acasuso, came out strongly, breaking his rival's first service game to move ahead 3-0 and he served out the first set in 30 minutes. |
| I was afraid I could lose the match if I failed to win the tiebreak Marat Safin | I was afraid I could lose the match if I failed to win the tiebreak Marat Safin |
| In the second the 24-year-old Argentine bounced back to break Safin's serve in the sixth game and level at one set all. | In the second the 24-year-old Argentine bounced back to break Safin's serve in the sixth game and level at one set all. |
| But boosted by his home crowd, including former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, Safin's confidence returned and he broke twice in the third set to put himself in control. | But boosted by his home crowd, including former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, Safin's confidence returned and he broke twice in the third set to put himself in control. |
| The fourth set was a tight affair that was decided by a tie-break, which Safin edged after Acasuso netted a forehand to spark wild celebrations. | The fourth set was a tight affair that was decided by a tie-break, which Safin edged after Acasuso netted a forehand to spark wild celebrations. |
| "I'm happy to win in front of my home fans," Safin said after the match. "It was really hard to win as I experienced serious problems with the surface as I failed to adjust my playing to the carpet. | "I'm happy to win in front of my home fans," Safin said after the match. "It was really hard to win as I experienced serious problems with the surface as I failed to adjust my playing to the carpet. |
| 606: DEBATE class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A17881130">After all Safin has gone through in his career, it was only fitting that he should win the Davis Cup WS class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/606/default.stm">606: Have your say "I'm glad I won in four sets. I was sure Nikolay (Davydenko) would win his match but after he lost I was pretty nervous. | |
| "I also have problems with my heel and knees. I was afraid I could lose the match if I failed to win the tiebreak." | "I also have problems with my heel and knees. I was afraid I could lose the match if I failed to win the tiebreak." |
| "I'm very happy for all of us and all of our fantastic supporters," he added. | "I'm very happy for all of us and all of our fantastic supporters," he added. |
| Davydenko beat Chela in Friday's opening match but Nalbandian then beat Safin to even the score. | Davydenko beat Chela in Friday's opening match but Nalbandian then beat Safin to even the score. |
| On Saturday, Russia took a 2-1 lead when Safin and Dmitry Tursunov got the better of Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri in the doubles. | On Saturday, Russia took a 2-1 lead when Safin and Dmitry Tursunov got the better of Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri in the doubles. |