14-11-2007 Tennis Betting - Russia Aim For Clean Sweep of Team Events

Should the Russians beat the US in the Davis Cup in Oregon, it would complete an historic clean-sweep of ITF sanctioned team events in 2007, following victory for the women in the Fed Cup, and the mixed team in the Hopman Cup. In contrast the US has struggled to live up to its historical legacy in the Davis Cup. This will be America’s 61st final, having won the event 31 times, but they have lost on their last two appearances, in 2004 and 1997, and last lifted the trophy in 1995.

Given their recent success in the David Cup, the Russian team has valuable experience. Marat Safin was a key member of the successful teams of 2002 & 2006, but he is steadily slipping down the rankings, and has had a turbulent year.

After Wimbledon he parted company with coach, Alexander Volkov, while following his second round exit at the US Open, a recurring wrist injury seemed to have prematurely ended his season. He watched from the sideline as the Russian team overcame Germany in September to make this final, but returned to action at the beginning of October in the Kremlin Cup, partnering Davis Cup team-mate, Dmitry Tursunov, to the doubles title.

Tursunov, who was part of the 2006 winning team, is in contrast to Safin a rising star, winning two titles this season, and reaching quarter-finals in Paris, on his favourite clay surface. Along with Safin, Mikhail Youzhny is the only other survivor of the wins of both 2002 and 2006. Having lived in the US since he was 12, should feel at home in Oregon. He has had a positive season breaking into the top ten for first time, and winning in Rotterdam.

Davydenko Still Fighting Betting Allegations

The most highly ranked member of either team is the Ukrainian born, Nikolay Davydenko. He has consolidated his top-five position by reaching the semis in Paris and Flushing Meadows, and the last eight of Wimbledon. There are however nagging doubts over his ability to close out big games, shown again at Roland Garros when losing 3-0 to Roger Federer, despite leading each set. His form is seemingly unaffected by the distraction of a drawn out investigation into irregular betting patterns during of his match against Martin Arguello in July, when he withdrew with a foot injury despite leading. As a result, Davydenko has been unable to distance himself from unsubstantiated match-fixing rumours.

The Russians have had to work hard in 2007 to defend their crown, with all three best-of-five matches en-route to the final ending 3-2. In the semi-final against Germany the Russians had to come from 2-1 down after three rubbers, to secure victory in the reverse singles fixtures on the final day. In contrast to the continuity of the US team, captain, Tarpischev, has used different doubles pairings in each round, which suggests America’s Bryan twins - Grand Slam winning doubles’ specialists - will be strong favourites with PinnacleSports.com for victory on the middle day, leaving success for Russia dependent on dominating the singles clashes.

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