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Post by Anne on Apr 12, 2008 18:09:48 GMT 3
! ;DYeeaah ;D! Well done Andreev and Davydenko! Can't wait for tomorrow:)! Davai Russia!  |
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Apr 12, 2008 18:44:57 GMT 3
Russa in sight of the semifinals
Russia have moved into a two rubbers to one lead in their Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinal tie against the Czech Republic, after Nikolay Davydenko and Igor Andreev came from a set down to defeat Radek Stepanek and Pavel Vizner 36 63 75 64 in Saturday's doubles.
Both team captains made changes to their line-ups, with Shamil Tarpischev replacing Mikhail Youzhny with Igor Andreev, while his Czech counterpart Yaroslav Navratil made perhaps a slightly strange decision to bring in Radek Stepanek instead of Lukas Dlouhy, who is ranked 14 in the world in doubles.
Andreev and Davydenko were only appearing together for the second time in the Davis Cup. However they would have had happy memories of this court, as it was against France at the same stage of the competition, just over a year ago, that they completed a thrilling five-set win against a strong doubles pairing of Michael Llodra and Sebastian Grosjean.
Lack of chemistry between Andreev and Davydenko
Neither Davydenko or Andreev are regular doubles players, and their lack of chemistry certainly showed in the first set, as an early break put the Czechs in control. The Russian duo, both more at home on the singles court, were content to sit on the baseline, but they rarely threatened Stepanek and Vizner. Stepanek was continuing his excellent form from Friday, which saw him beat Andreev in straight sets, and he was at his very best late in the set, saving four break points, to eventually seal the opener.
"It's been a long time since either myself of Nikolay has played doubles, so it was more of a question of trying to remember how to play,” admitted Andreev.
"But after losing the opening set, we were told by our captain just to relax, and that was exactly what we needed for a comeback."
Russians take the second set
A crucial break in the second game of the second set gave the Russians a much needed confidence boost. Igor Andreev in particular showing excellent touch from the net, while dictating play from the baseline. The Czechs had a sniff of a chance at 0-30 on Davydenko's serve in the seventh game, but he held, before Andreev later served out to level the match up at a set all.
Despite how well Andreev was playing, Vizner and Stepanek continued to target the Russian, despite the fact it was Davydenko making most of the unforced errors on the Russian side. Unfortunately for Yaroslav Navratil's side, that policy backfired.
Plan to attack Andreev doesn't pay off
"We had a plan to attack Andreev, as he didn't look very comfortable in Friday's opening singles, but startIng from the second set he played unexpectedly brilliantly," said Vizner.
The momentum was with Russia, with the Czech pair struggling to make an impact on Davydenko and Andreev's first serves, but break point chances for both sides were at a premium. With the set looking like it was heading to a tiebreak, fantastic returns by Davydenko and Andreev in the 11th game gave Russia three break points. Vizner double faulted to leave Andreev to serve out to take the third 7-5.
At 37 years old, Pavel Vizner is easily the oldest man in either of the sides, and tiredness seemed to creep in, as he and Stepanek were just unable to halt the Russians, especially Andreev who was increasingly hitting winners almost at will. A break in the fourth game put Russia in sight of victory, and fittingly Andreev sealed victory with a forehand down the centre to seal a good comeback win in just under three hours.
Shamil Tarpischev's side are now firmly in the driving seat in this tie, and can seal victory in Sunday's reverse singles.
"I'm sure Tarpishchev will name Davydenko and Safin for Sunday's matches," said Navratil.
If Tarpischeve read the last sentence im sure he would probably change it - i reckon it mite be Youzhny and Safin!
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Post by Dina on Apr 12, 2008 19:37:42 GMT 3
If Tarpischeve read the last sentence im sure he would probably change it - i reckon it mite be Youzhny and Safin!
I agree! it didn't look to really work out for kolya! it was wise to let Marat rest for tomorrow, he may have to play!
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Post by annie on Apr 13, 2008 7:07:32 GMT 3
thank you guys so much for the pictures!!! he looks great in red...no more kiwi please!!!! i like it when he wears a shirt with "RUSSIA" in the back.... Yeah, red looks sooooo good on him. I remember i read somewhere that when an athlete wears red it may cause/help him/her to feel confident/superior...i hope that's true, coz i think he's gonna be wearing red this clay season... |
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Post by annie on Apr 13, 2008 7:21:00 GMT 3
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Apr 13, 2008 12:56:42 GMT 3
Nikolay Davydenko is in for Igor Andreev for the 4th rubber to face Thomas Berdych Kolya won the 1st set 6-3  2 more sets and SF here we come! |
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Post by luxsword on Apr 13, 2008 14:35:13 GMT 3
Berdych won the second set and they're playing a TB in the third.
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Post by luxsword on Apr 13, 2008 14:37:59 GMT 3
Berdych wins the TB (75)
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Post by Anne on Apr 13, 2008 14:44:28 GMT 3
Oh dear.
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Post by Anne on Apr 13, 2008 15:48:31 GMT 3
Russia won by retirement from Tomas Berdych  at 1-2 in games in the fifth set. That means there will be a 'dead rubber' now, right?! Go Marat . |
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invincible1
Junior Member
"I only sign for beautiful girls..."
Posts: 166
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Post by invincible1 on Apr 13, 2008 16:12:38 GMT 3
Is there going to be a Live Stream on Marat's match?please help
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Post by Anne on Apr 13, 2008 16:20:20 GMT 3
Marat plays Lukas Dlouhy! Good luck Marat!
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invincible1
Junior Member
"I only sign for beautiful girls..."
Posts: 166
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Post by invincible1 on Apr 13, 2008 16:23:18 GMT 3
Because the Eurosport bastards aren't showing it. Please...?Someone?..Any live stream?  |
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Post by Anne on Apr 13, 2008 16:40:21 GMT 3
Because the Eurosport bastards aren't showing it. Please...?Someone?..Any live stream? I don't think there aren't any livestreams.. otherwise I think we should have known  ! I know.. Eurosport shows curling, pooling or swimming all the time! Pretty boring. No tennis at all, sometimes WTA but that's also very rare! Davai Marat! |
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Post by sabz on Apr 13, 2008 16:49:11 GMT 3
well now we know why he retired.... Berdych retirement sends Russia throughTomas Berdych was forced to retire against Nikolay Davydenko in the fifth set of a thrilling fourth rubber in Moscow, handing Russia an unassailable 3-1 lead in this Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinal tie against the Czech Republic. Berdych was leading 36 62 76(5) 36 21, with the scores at deuce, when he rolled his right ankle and was forced to retire. It's the second consecutive round that Russia has been handed victory thanks to a retirement, after Novak Djokovic had to retire due to illness in the first round. That was also against Davydenko and also handed Russia a winning 3-1 lead. This victory means Russia has won its 16th home tie in a row - an unbeaten record stretching back to December 1995. Russia will face Argentina or Sweden in the last four, and will be away to either nation. So i guess.... CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RUSSIANS!!!!! (although it is unfortunate it ended that way!) lets hope Marat can make is 4-1!!! current score: 4-2 to Dlouhy  |
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at 1-2 in games in the fifth set. That means there will be a 'dead rubber' now, right?! Go Marat 
! I know.. Eurosport shows curling, pooling or swimming all the time! Pretty boring. No tennis at all, sometimes WTA but that's also very rare!
