Anyone here reckon that Nalbandian can win all 3 of his rubbers and pull off a heroic win for Argentina? A professional job on Safin, a doubles match against non-doubles specialists, and a reverse singles against Davydenko or Tursunov...could he do it?

I sense a lack of Nalbandian fans on Centre Court... Got to hand it to David though - he finds brilliant form when its needed for Davis Cup

No.
Russia have the stronger side.
And he tends to choke on the big stage.

Can he do it - definitely.

Will he do it - probably not.

He's got off to a great start by beating the only player in the event who is better than him and in straight sets which saves on energy.

But three big matches in three days is a strain on the body and mind and he is dependent on his doubles partner playing well.

Being a one man Davis Cup team is never easy at that's what Nalbandian is at the moment - at least at this level.

I'd love him to win this but I can't see it somehow.

It would be a herculean effort if he could.. I mean, 3 big matches in 3 days?

He probably can.. which of his next 2 matches will be the toughest, do you think?

well, he beat the player I thought he would lose too... so never say never

I think that he will struggle against Davydenko but whether that will result in a loss I have no idea.

he did well against safin (a player his had many losses to in the past).

however against davydenko?? i think he will really struggle.. i think the matchup will favour davydenko and nalbandian will get frustrated and crack first in most of the rallies and produce more errors.

however.. you never really know. the unthinkable sometimes do happen

I wonder how much that today's doubles match might impact the Davydenko Nalbandian rubber?

If it's a log drawn out struggle, then there might be a fatigue factor..? :shrug:

Well, Mr Invisible.. you questioned my observation that Safin would want the win more than Nalbandian yesterday.. and referred to me anonymously as 'someone' after I had written a long and considered reply to your post.. :rolleyes:

Well.. Safin definitely wanted this doubles win more than Nalbandian today.. ;)

but then again, maybe not :blink:

the beeb didnt seem to have a favourable view of Nalbys game today

I watched the doubles today. Callieri and Nalbandian were very disappointing. Callieri looked out of his depth at the net, whilst Nalbandian's serving was very poor. Tursunov and Safin played good focused tennis - nothing great, but served well and returned well.

Nalbandian was really out of sorts - couldn't reproduce the form he'd shown 24 hours earlier. Callieri I think needed Nalbandian at his best, so that his own game could be raised.

Its a tall order for Argentina now - can't see Chela or Callieri winning the other singles. Tursunov to me looks the pick of the Russians at the moment - if I was the Russian coach I'd put him in instead of Davydenko who must be tiring after that long season.

All in all, I'd be happy for Russia to get this win - they are arguably the strongest team in Davis Cup, Davydenko's had an amazing year, and players like Safin and Tursunov are quite entertaining characters. Argentina will get their chance again (especially if they end up having a final at home on the clay!).

It was always going to be a struggle with calleri in doubles. Like most clay-courters of his standard, very green at net, thus creating more oppurtunites for the opponents to move into net and dominate proceedings.

Now their hopes are riding on chela. I give him the slightest chance against marat on this type of court, which is quite medium-paced i believe. Chela struggles on anything other than clay and slow hardcourts. This match is so in Safin's hands, and the tie itself.

The interesting thing about this tie is how much it all hinges on players that just might not turn up!

Both Safin and Tursunov are capable of being explosive or the dampest of squibs and could give a glimmer of hope to the Argentines (provided those are the players playing - I havent actually had a looksee, or know if its been confirmed whos playing who). And same with Nalbandian...

I think it will go to Russia but dont count your chickens till the fat lady has sung and any other cliche you can think of to bung in here roflmao

So, is it Nalbandian vs Davydenko first tomorrow? If so, I give David the nod for this one. As for Safin vs Chela, yes this definitely is in Safin's hands. Unless he plays a shocker, he ought to wrap things up. Chela can be a troublesome opponent, and can pose problems, but I get the impression Safin will overpower him.

I think Davydenko will just edge this one, because he can finish the points that much shorter than Nalby. they both play a pretty similar game, but Davydenko has the more pacier serve and steps in the court more on his groundstrokes and that may prove nalby's undoing if he decides to try and out-hit Davy from the back in long baseline rallies.

Safin should over-power Chela. Chela's serve is very predictable, you get the same kind of delivery each time really on both the Deuce and Ad courts. If Safin keeps the errors down on the forehand and just varies his tactics( ie come to the net to finish off points), he should take this in straights.

Agreed: this tie has already had a few twists and turns, and who is to say that there won't be any others tomorrow?

I think that Davydenko is scheduled to play Nalbandian first, at 10am GMT.

Then Safin v Chela.

Who knows that this will be the actual lineups? Either team could change one of their players for the singles, at least.

Man for man, I'd say that Russia has the better team, and would be worthy victors. However, as Pebs, mentioned, Russia has more than its fair share of players who can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory..

And with that in mind, I think that the match is in Russia's hands.. It's theirs to either win or lose. Nalbandian should chalk up a win against Davydenko, but not if he plays like he did today. Safin should beat Chela.

I guess we shall just have to wait and see which Nalbandian and which Safin turn up tomorrow..!

Will have to beg to differ on Davydenko v Nalbandian. I just think that if the same Nalbandian that beat Safin turns up, he'll have that bit extra in his game to beat Davydenko. I don't think he will try to outhit Davydenko, but I reckon he'll vary things - long rallies, some sneaky down-the-line backhands (Davy's good at these too, so should be a good match in that respect), a few dropshots, and maybe the odd net foray, perhaps to unsettle Davydenko from his metronomic rhythm. I don't think Chela will get trounced by Safin, and I can foresee the tricky Argentinian picking up a set, but I really can't see him beating Safin, unless the Safinator is having one of his 'off days'...

Well it was mentioned earlier that Chela will NOT be playing singles, and that it will be either Calleri or Acasuso-with Acasuso the favourite to play. I guess we wont know either countrys line up til tomorrow

oh bandy, what are you doing? 0-40.

and there's the break. bye bye bandy.

come on david. lord knows i don't like you, but i want a decider in this final.

rebreak! 2-2 4th set!

i can't believe i'm the only 1 posting here. david leads 4-3* 4th set.

15-40 virtual match points for bandy!

and he's got him and will serve for a remarkable win!

nalbandian is broken serving for the match!!

2 mps for bandy!

it's over. a very exciting win for david nalbandian!

roflmao there was a different thread for this Flame ;)

aawww! where?

in atp live scoring sub forum!!!!