Davydenko downbeat as Argentina takes 2-1 lead
Date published :
10 Jul 2010 - 10:48:21
Davydenko downbeat as Argentina takes 2-1 leadArgentina has moved into a 2-1 lead in its Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinal tie with Russia, after Eduardo Schwank and Horacio Zeballos beat Nikolay Davydenko and Igor Kunitsyn 76(7) 64 67(3) 61.Both captains made changes to their original starting line-ups, with Tito Vazquez resting David Nalbandian, and Shamil Tarpischev bringing in Davydenko to replace Teimuraz Gabashvili. Neither pair had actually played together previously in Davis Cup, while the Argentine duo had only played one doubles rubber between them coming into this encounter, but this lack of experience didn’t seem to bother Argentina’s Davis Cup captain Vazquez.It was not a hard decision to rest Nalbandian, as it was a chance for Horacio and Eduardo to play a difficult match and it’s important for these players to be in this situation, to see if they can handle it.”Russia fightback comes too lateNot surprisingly both pairings were rusty early and from the outset, it seemed there were four singles players on display who were trying to play doubles. One man in particular had a point to prove Nikolay Davydenko. The world No. 6 put in a below par performance against Nalbandian in the opening singles and would have been looking for a change in fortunes. But just as on Friday, Russia was unable to take its chances. The home side’s pairing had eight break point opportunities in the first set, but weren’t able to convert any of them, as the visitors would eventually take it on a tiebreak.One break was good enough to put Schwank and Zeballos into a two sets to love lead, and with a break in the third, they were in sight of victory. Russia managed to break Schwank’s serve and would win the subsequent tiebreak to cut the deficit to 2-1.However, that’s as good as it got for the Russians, as Argentina would easily take the fourth 6-1, to wrap up victory in just over three hours.We are really happy as this was a very important point for Argentina. I am really good friends with Schwank and we were confident as we are both good doubles players and had played together in the Pan American games where we won,” mentioned Zeballos.Davydenko doubting himself for SundayDavydenko was very downbeat following his second successive defeat. Again, he put in a poor performance, while he was a liability on serve, and was broken an incredible five times during the match. The world No. 6 is due on court first on Sunday, but given the form he’s in, he says he’s not sure whether he’ll play any part in the reverse singles,” while he says he side’s chances of making the semifinals are now hanging by a knife edge.We have a small hope for tomorrow and it’s going to be very difficult, as being 2-1 down is not so easy.”Jubilation though for Argentina who was the underdog coming into this tie, but now needs just one more victory to book a spot in the last four, but Vazquez says there’s plenty of tennis still left to be played and isn’t taking any for granted.The match is still open, and is over three days, and we will only know who has won, when the last match is over.”Related links> DavisCup.tv> Twitter> Tie information> Audio interviews> Scorecards & stats> Honours even in Moscow> Davydenko opens against Nalbandian> Kunitsyn ready for Argentina test> ’I will play’ - DavydenkoRelated websites> Russian Tennis Federation> Asociacion Argentina de Tenis Related Audio Interview with Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) - Saturday Interview with Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) - Saturday Interview with Tito Vazquez and Horacio Zeballos (ARG) - Saturday If you cannot hear the audio, then please update your media player by following one of the links above.
