Davis Cup

The official team nominations are out:


Russia and USA have named their teams for the final of the 2006 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, to be held in Portland on November 30-December 2.

The official team nominations can be found below. Under Davis Cup rules,up to two nominations may then be changed up to an hour before the draw, which takes place on Thursday 29 November.

World Group Final: USA v Russia
Venue: Portland, Oregon (Hard-indoors)

Russia

Igor Andreev
Nikolay Davydenko
Dmitry Tursunov
Mikhail Youzhny
Captain: Shamil Tarpischev

USA
James Blake
Andy Roddick
Bob Bryan
Mike Bryan
Captain: Patrick McEnroe

Any thoughts on the team selection, the choice of surface and on who might win?

It should be interesting .I can see Davydenko winning his 2 matches if he is in good form. Youshny grabbing one. But that is the best that can happen for Russia unless Brian's bro is still injured!

When I size the opponents up I think USA is going to win but in all honesty I would prefer Russia to win.

It proves their status as a bigger power in tennis today and I prefer the players.

Roddick fired up for Davis final

Andy Roddick aims to achieve one of his career targets by leading the USA to victory over defending champions Russia in the Davis Cup final.
Roddick will team up with James Blake and doubles specialists Mike and Bob Bryan for the tie, which begins on Friday in Portland, Oregon.

"It's always been a huge priority for me," said Roddick who faces Dmitry Tursunov in the opening singles match.

"It's been on my list of goals since I started, so I'm glad to be here."

The United States and Russia have named unchanged teams from their semi-final victories.

Russia have recalled Nikolay Davydenko, Igor Andreev, Tursunov and Mikhail Youzhny.

Roddick lost a five-set thriller to Tursunov in last year's final, but has beaten Russia's top player, Davydenko, in their five meetings to date.

"I couldn't care less if I extend the streak," said the American. "If I lose to him and we win, I don't really care. It's about the culmination of a year."

The USA are seeking their first Davis Cup triumph since 1995 on clay in Moscow.

Blake said: "We have an opportunity to do something great, bring the Cup back here for the first time since '95.


"We're doing our best to bring the landscape back to the positive atmosphere it had in the years of Sampras, Agassi, Courier.

"But it is a difficult situation when we're dealing with following the greatest generation probably in the history of American tennis.

"I think there are a lot of positives we have to look for. We have Andy Roddick, who finished the year number one in the world before the dominance of Roger Federer and was probably considered the best player in the world at that time.

"We have the best doubles team in the world. By the time they're done, there's a chance they'll be the best doubles team ever. We've got a lot of positives to look forward to."

The tie will take place on indoor hard courts at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

The draw has been made:

Day 1: 1300 hrs (2100 hrs GMT)
Andy Roddick (USA) v Dmitry Tursunov (RUS)
James Blake (USA) v Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)

Day 2: 1230 hrs (2030 hrs GMT)
Bob/Mike Bryan (USA) v Igor Andreev/Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)

Day 3: 1300 hrs (2100 hrs GMT)
Andy Roddick (USA) v Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)
James Blake (USA) v Dmitry Tursunov (RUS)

Good choice by Russian captain in putting Tursunov against Roddick and Youzhny against Blake. This tie does like quite finely balanced, and I think its essential for the Americans that Roddick wins his opening rubber against Tursunov.

I am actually not sure Turso was the right choice! But it makes it interesting should he win v ARod.

I dunno, tursunov always seems to perform well at Davis Cup and he did manage to beat Roddick in that tight 5-setter last year :ok: here's hoping he can repeat that performance (preferably in 3 sets this time) :pray:

I knew those results Dinky ;) yet this is the Final and thought that Davydenko may have more to give. Also asking Davy to play the double with his weak serve is strange while we know how much better and experienced is Youshny at doubles (didn't he beat the Brians this year is whoever was his partner)?

We will see but i know predict a thumping by the Americans. ;)

sorry, i've just looked at the draw properly this time - For some reason I thought Davy was playing instead of Misha :doh:

it is very odd they haven't got Davydenko playing singles :unsure: Wonder whether his confidence is really that bad?? :( but that would definitely give them a better chance.

I'm hoping that the Russians can pull this one off, but like you, I suspect that the the Americans will manage it :(

:unsure: .........I don't know about that one.......one thing ...it is in Roddick's back yard....home fan support...and the surface is way much faster.....

I only hope Tursnov...is not 'fed to the dogs'....Andy seems pumped up for this cup.


As for Davy...'issues'....it is best to take the focus away from him...these tourneys is so much about team spirit..such that anything to distract from the team as a whole... :unsure: ..not good...lets hope its for the best.

Wow, Tursunov really fell flat :unsure: I bet he was in destructive error-mode as per in big matches :doh: He's just not a good enough match player on the big occasions i feel, although his power is incredible on occasion........ :shrug:

Blake had a good win though, trying to salvage his mediocre season. I bet he thanked his lucky stars it didnt go to a fith roflmao