Russians Race Away To Early Lead
Sun Herald
Sunday September 24, 2006
RUSSIA, seeking their first victory against the US in Davis Cup, comfortably won both their singles matches on Friday to take a 2-0 lead in their semi-final in Moscow.
Marat Safin overpowered Andy Roddick 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 in the opening rubber on clay before Mikhail Youzhny beat James Blake 7-5, 1-6, 6-1, 7-5 to put his side within one victory of the final. The Russians have lost both previous ties against the US, including the 1995 Moscow final on a similar surface."Hopefully we can also win the doubles tomorrow and finish the tie in two days," a confident Safin said after his victory. What was billed as a battle between the two former world No.1s turned into a mis-match after Safin broke Roddick's formidable serve four times. The big-hitting Russian also fired down 17 aces. The winner will play the winner of the Argentina and Australia clash in the final from December 1-3. Russia won their maiden Davis Cup title at home in 2002 when they beat France 3-2 in Moscow.
© 2006 Sun Herald