Russia, Argentina tied at Davis Cup

MOSCOW—David Nalbandian beat a struggling Marat Safin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Friday to give Argentina a 1-1 tie with Russia at the Davis Cup final.
Nalbandian withstood 21 aces from the powerful but erratic Safin to win on indoor carpet at Moscow’s Olympic Stadium. Boisterous Argentine fans included soccer great Diego Maradona.
Nikolay Davydenko gave Russia an early lead, defeating Juan Ignacio Chela 6-1, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. The third-ranked Davydenko, who had lost five previous matches against Chela, overcame shaky starts in his early service games and a third-set stumble.
“The final, at home — how could I not be nervous?” Davydenko said. “I lost the third set because I made so many mistakes. In the fourth set, I made fewer and played well.”
Dmitry Tursunov and Mikhail Youzhny continue Russia’s attempt for a first title since 2002 against Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri in Saturday’s doubles. The decisive reverse singles are scheduled for Sunday.
“I’m fresh for tomorrow,” Nalbandian said. “When I thought about the match, I thought it would be tougher, so three sets ... it’s great. The weekend’s not over yet.”
Nalbandian broke Safin when the Russian double-faulted after four aces and a flurry of deuces in the first game, enough of an advantage to take the first set.
Safin survived two break points and fired an ace to open the second set, but ceded his next service game when he double-faulted at deuce and then netted a backhand. Nalbandian broke again at the next opportunity and, although Safin broke to close the gap to 5-3, the Argentine took the set. The two traded service wins in the third set before Safin handed his opponent two break points and Nalbandian took a 4-3 lead when the Russian sent a shot long. Russia questioned the crucial call in one of many challenges using the Hawk-Eye video system, which is making its Davis Cup debut, but the review showed Safin’s shot was clearly out.
Nalbandian survived two break points in the next game before making it 5-3, then served out the match at love, capping it with another ace. Safin had seven double faults to go with his flurry of aces.—Agencies