Safin gets broken in the first game of the match. :(

Come on, Marat!!

Whoops new thread I just posted about this on the 1st Davis Cup thread.
Nalbandian is playing better. Could be a long match

:yikes:
Mr. Blobby's in the crowd roflmao
Non other than Maradonna.

roflmao

Nalbandian two points away from the first set.

Nalby takes the first of three set points :(

That first game has proved costly for Safin.

Marat saves two break points in the first game of the second.

Safin holds. :yahoo:

Someone on another thread mentioned that Safin will 'want this more' than Nalbandian. I disagree - there's no-one more motivated to do well in Davis Cup than Nalbandian (well, maybe Hewitt or Ljubicic) - he can be lacklustre in some of his ATP matches but he is really fired up when he plays for Argentina.

Whilst I think his game doesn't always match up very well to Safin's, that extra bit of motivation could be a telling factor in this encounter...

Hmm. Marat gets broken early in the second :(

2-1 to Nalbandian.

:yikes: Nooooo But what happens to Marat... let us :pray:...Might this can help..

Now 3-1 and Nalbi has two further break points :yikes:

4-1 to Nalbandian; two breaks up :o :yikes:

Current score anyone? Nalbandian's good form in Davis Cup does not surprise me, but was expecting it to be a bit closer than this...

Safin wins the third game in a row. But Nalbandian will serve for the match again.

SET, not match :doh:

sorry

Is Nalbandian 'choking' the 2nd set, or is it just simply an impressive fightback from Safin?

Or, a bit of both...?

Nalbandian earns a third set-point, and takes the set. :(

It's an uphill battle for Marat from here on.

Well, he did take it in the end.

From the commentary, it sounds like Marat is fighting a lot, but Nalbandian is just to good overall.

Marat has trouble on each of his service games. 0-30 again.

Now 15-30. Come on, Marat!

Safin manages to hold to 30, after all. :yahoo:

Score in 3rd set anyone?

Safin kills me when he puts in a peformance like this :rolleyes:

2 all; ad Safin.

Safin *finally* holds, with an ace, after an extremely long game. 3-2 to Russia.

Marat 0-30 up on Nalbandian's serve. Finally, a chance?

Nope. Nalby wins the next four points :(

Marat faces two break points, yet again. :yikes:

He saves the first ... but not the second. Nalbandian serving at 4-3 now. :(

Nalbandian isn't always the best at serving out a match, but it sounds like there's too much work for Safin to do here to come back into this...

Safin :(

6-4 6-4 6-4

Nalbandian played a near flawless match. Very good indeed. Probabaly the best all year I think. A small customery choke as per usual but this time it was just a small wobble.
But his serving was top notch today.

:( :cry:

Another professional Davis Cup job from Nalbandian. Now, as with most Davis Cup ties, the doubles will be crucial...

Neither side has great doubles specialists, and the match tomorrow looks a real 50:50 (as long as Nalbandian plays).

:(

So wanted Safin to win this...

Strange why nobody likes Nalby tho ain't it..
Might be his Henman comments

Nalbandian has been a drama queen this year (re: his comments on both Hewitt and Henman) - he appears to have made a half-heated attempt to become the villain of the ATP. However, I really like his style of play, and he's a fantastic talent.

Anyway, I thought most neutrals would have wanted him to beat Safin to keep the tie competitive for as long as possible...

He's a big headed B' who thinks he is better than he actually is.

He's only won one tournament this year.
He was out of order with his comments towrds Henman and Hewitt. I think Maradonna must be his role model :rolleyes: I am glad Henman had the grace to laugh it off and with his comments actually made him look a complete prat.
I mean come on HIM questioning Henmans sportsmanship.
He's in cuckoo land . He has to be.
There is no doubting his talent. But he needs to get a grip . He is a serious underachiever.
As a neutral it is good that we go into Saturday 1 - 1
But I think Russia will win the Cup. They have a stronger side.

:yikes:

Well, I was the one who thought that Safin would 'want this more' than Nalby.. and I was proven wrong!!

Marat.... :o

But bravo Nalbandian.. a straight sets win is no mean feat..

This now makes things very interesting.. could Argentina pull off a famous victory from here??

Damn nalby, beat Safin in madrid as well :angry: roflmao

Like Nalby though, but like Safin more. i hate the 6-4 scoreline, seems so routine :(

I like David too :unsure:

But then, we're not Henman fans dl roflmao

I know, shame on us :rolleyes: roflmao

Well at least I have an excuse roflmao

I thought David's quote was quite funny, i love it when players speak out against another's stereotype roflmao