Russia’s Victory in Doubles Clinches First Berth in Final

Russia reached the Davis Cup final for the first time when Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Andrei Olhovskiy won Saturday’s doubles to give their team an unbeatable 3-0 lead over defending champion Germany.

The Russians defeated the team of Michael Stich and Karsten Braasch, 6-4, 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 6-7 (7-3), 10-8, ending the hopes of three-time champion Germany.

Kafelnikov and Olhovskiy wasted a match point in the fourth set and saved three in the fifth before winning in 3 hours 39 minutes.

Russia had not advanced past the first round of the Davis Cup since it joined the 94-year-old competition in 1962, then as the Soviet Union.

Germany lost at home for the first time since a 3-2 defeat by Sweden in the 1985 final.

In December’s final, Russia will meet the winner of the other semifinal between the United States and Sweden. The United States leads that match, 2-1, after Sweden won Saturday’s doubles.

“I think we can even win the cup,” Russian captain Vadim Borisov said.