Tursunov injury blow hits Russia's chances Defending champion Russia will face Chile without Dmitry Tursunov after he was ruled of the tie because of a wrist injury. California-based Tursunov was inspirational in Russia's journey to the 2006 title, but he will be replaced in La Serena by the untested Igor Kunitsyn.
With Mikhail Youzhny and Nikolay Davydenko already missing, it was a further blow for Russia's chances of retaining its title, against a full-strength home team featuring Australian Open runner-up Fernando Gonzalez and Viña del Mar finalist Nicolas Massu. The visitors will be relying heavily on their hero from last year's final, Marat Safin, who plays Massu in the opening rubber. Igor Andreev returns to Davis Cup by BNP Paribas after an extended injury break to play Gonzalez in the second match on Friday. The full draw is as follows:
Nicolas Massu (CHI) v Marat Safin (RUS)
Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) v Igor Andreev (RUS)
Fernando Gonzalez/Nicolas Massu (CHI) v Teimuraz Gabashvilli/Igor Kunitsyn (RUS)
Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) v Marat Safin (RUS)
Nicolas Massu (CHI) v Igor Andreev (RUS)
Everyone seemed satisfied with the draw“I think the draw puts pressure on Marat (Safin),” said Hans Gildemeister, captain of the home team. “He is forced to win that point; the Russians cannot afford to lose it.”
“I have great confidence that Nicolas (Massu) will win that match, so (Igor) Andreev will have a lot of pressure upon him when facing Fernando Gonzalez.”
The Chilean singles players were quite optimistic about the outcome of the match. “We are both playing well,” said Massu. “If I win, Fernando will do it very well (in the second singles), and we may finish 2-0 up in the first day.”
Safin, the lone icon of a Russian team unable to field Davis Cup winners Davydenko, Youzhny and Tursunov, played it cool and looked very relaxed.
“To say the truth, the draw is more important for those who play after (in the second single), as they can feel the difference between being 1-0 or 0-1. Personally, I haven’t had pressure for a long time, I came here to enjoy and have the best time possible.”
But who are the real favorites?Even though the home team has a full roster, with their No. 1 to 4 players available, the loss of Tursunov left the Davis Cup holders with two players who have never played a Davis Cup match, world No. 101 Teimuraz Gabashvili and world No. 83 Igor Kunitsyn.
The experience of Safin is an important asset for the Russian team, although he has stated that the real favorites are the home team. “We know Chile is a very difficult team, but nothing is impossible… we will try to do our best.”
Chile’s players appear to be in a moment of grace. Besides Gonzalez reaching the final in Australia and Massu doing the same in his home tournament at Viña del Mar last week, Chilean No. 3 Paul Capdeville took his first doubles ATP title in Viña del Mar as well, and has expressed his desire to play at least the doubles. However, the practice week was not as smooth as it could have been: Gonzalez returned to clay last week and had not played there since last June’s French Open, and Massu looked uncomfortable with his own tennis every once in a while. But now, the worries seem to be over.
“We’ve had enough hours of practice in this court,” Gonzalez said. “Now, the most important thing is our enthusiasm and the support of our people”.
Gildemeister thinks Chile are not favorites, though. “I think we’re 50 and 50, really.”
“I think Safin can beat Nicolas (Massu), and Fernando (Gonzalez) should win over Andreev, so we can end up 1-1 the first day”, he said, “but the first point is the one they can’t lose. If Massu beats Safin, it will be really hard for them not to be 0-2 after the first day.”
Short interview with our man-
www.daviscup.com/shared/medialibrary/audio/mp3/DC_7048_mp3.MP3
I have just posted if for Marat's pic 
It was the discussion and speculations about non DC issues what I was talking about.
