Safin, Not Davydenko, to Face U.S.
Marat Safin was picked ahead of fifth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko and will open against Andy Roddick today when Russia plays the United States in the Davis Cup semifinals.
Davydenko, a U.S. Open semifinalist, was left out of Thursday’s draw by Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev. Safin, who has won two Grand Slam tournaments and is a former top-ranked player, is ranked 72nd.
In the other singles, Mikhail Youzhny will play James Blake. Youzhny lost to Roddick in the semis at this month’s U.S. Open, and Blake made the quarterfinals.
On Saturday, the top-ranked U.S. doubles team, twins Mike and Bob Bryan, will play Youzhny and Dmitry Tursunov. Sunday’s reverse singles are expected to feature a rematch between Youzhny and Roddick, with Safin taking on Blake.
The best-of-five series will be played on clay at the Olympic Indoor Stadium, where Pete Sampras won all three of his matches in 1995 to help the United States win its 31st Davis Cup title.
Russia, which has never defeated the United States, is unbeaten at home since losing that final and beat France in 2002 for its only title.
The winner will face Australia or Argentina in the final.
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