Post by Anne on Sept 24, 2007 17:05:13 GMT 3
Article from seattlepi.nwsource.com/othersports/332857_ravi24.html
On Tennis: Davis Cup final heading to U.S. shores
By RAVI UBHA
SPECIAL TO THE P-I
The cold war is over, but there's always more drama when the U.S. faces Russia in any sport. Most tennis fans, then, probably got what they wanted over the weekend, as both nations won their Davis Cup semifinals -- as expected -- to set up a fascinating finale in December.
Patrick McEnroe's U.S. squad, despite another disappointing performance from James Blake, cruised past Sweden 4-1 in Goteborg, Sweden, while defending champion Russia struggled past Germany 3-2 in Moscow and might have been embarrassingly upset had Tommy Haas been healthy.
Being on home turf in a final for the first time in 15 years -- either in Portland or Winston-Salem, N.C. -- is a good start for the U.S., so playing on the dreaded clay is out of the question. A fast hard court would do nicely.
Still, the tie may rest in the hands of Russia, and more specifically, Marat Safin. If Safin is fit and committed -- he has a wrist injury and is part of a team currently scaling the world's sixth-largest mountain -- it could go either way.
Even though Safin was only the third-highest-ranking Russian as of last week, he's still the go-to guy when it comes to Davis Cup. In fact, no matter what the surface, don't be surprised if Russian captain Shamil Tarpischev doesn't play Nikolay Davydenko, instead going with either Mikhail Youzhny or Dmitry Tursunov, along with Safin. Davydenko is a combined 0-10 (!) against Blake and Andy Roddick.
Without Safin, the U.S. probably becomes the substantial favorite.
Whatever his status, Roddick and Co. will be going full tilt -- the U.S. might be hard-pressed to get to another final in the next few years.
On Tennis: Davis Cup final heading to U.S. shores
By RAVI UBHA
SPECIAL TO THE P-I
The cold war is over, but there's always more drama when the U.S. faces Russia in any sport. Most tennis fans, then, probably got what they wanted over the weekend, as both nations won their Davis Cup semifinals -- as expected -- to set up a fascinating finale in December.
Patrick McEnroe's U.S. squad, despite another disappointing performance from James Blake, cruised past Sweden 4-1 in Goteborg, Sweden, while defending champion Russia struggled past Germany 3-2 in Moscow and might have been embarrassingly upset had Tommy Haas been healthy.
Being on home turf in a final for the first time in 15 years -- either in Portland or Winston-Salem, N.C. -- is a good start for the U.S., so playing on the dreaded clay is out of the question. A fast hard court would do nicely.
Still, the tie may rest in the hands of Russia, and more specifically, Marat Safin. If Safin is fit and committed -- he has a wrist injury and is part of a team currently scaling the world's sixth-largest mountain -- it could go either way.
Even though Safin was only the third-highest-ranking Russian as of last week, he's still the go-to guy when it comes to Davis Cup. In fact, no matter what the surface, don't be surprised if Russian captain Shamil Tarpischev doesn't play Nikolay Davydenko, instead going with either Mikhail Youzhny or Dmitry Tursunov, along with Safin. Davydenko is a combined 0-10 (!) against Blake and Andy Roddick.
Without Safin, the U.S. probably becomes the substantial favorite.
Whatever his status, Roddick and Co. will be going full tilt -- the U.S. might be hard-pressed to get to another final in the next few years.
....
...thank you Annie.... 
LMAO...that's right! Make some noise!!! Congrats Russians!!! And goodluck against USA.
