LOS ANGELES - Holders Russia are banking on recent form while hosts the United States will pin their hopes on home advantage in this week's Davis Cup final.
Marat Safin (L) listens to Russia's team captain Shamil Tarpishchev during a training session in Moscow, November 29, 2006. Tarpishchev, whose team faces the United States in this weekend's Davis Cup final, compares his job to that of a national soccer team manager before an important World Cup or Euro qualifier. [Agencies] Spearheaded by world number four Nikolay Davydenko, the Russians will be hunting their third Davis Cup title in six years when the three-day tie starts on Friday in Portland, Oregon.
Although the Americans are widely regarded as slight favourites on the slick, indoor surface at Memorial Coliseum, Russia have clearly established a winning formula in the sport's showpiece men's team event.
"I think a team of great coaches the Russians have had is a big factor," said captain Shamil Tarpishchev, who guided Russia to Davis Cup success over Argentina in last year's final in Moscow.
"We have a good foundation so I'm optimistic about the next five to six years."
Apart from Davydenko, Russia will be represented by world number 19 Mikhail Youzhny, Igor Andreev (33rd) and Dmitry Tursunov (34th).
However, Tarpishchev concedes the Americans will be difficult to beat on home soil.
"They have home-court advantage and we'll be playing on a fast surface, which suits both of their singles players (Andy Roddick and James Blake)," he told Reuters.
"I rate our chances 40-60 in favour of the U.S. but you never know. There are so many variables that could have a bearing on the final outcome."
Davydenko, the highest-ranked player in this year's final, agrees Russia face an uphill task.
"It's pretty tough because we play in America where we know we have less chance of victory," he said. "If we win, it will definitely be the best moment of the year for me."
The United States, winners of a record 31 Davis Cup titles, are desperate to taste success for the first time in 12 years.
"This has been such a big goal for us as a team," inspirational captain Patrick McEnroe said. "Yes, there is pressure but, at the same time, pressure is a privilege."
World number six Roddick, whose straight-sets victory over Jonas Bjorkman set up a 4-1 victory for the U.S. over Sweden in their Davis Cup semi-final, is in upbeat mood.
"We're feeling confident but getting that confidence to translate to the court and getting a win is a tall task, especially when we lost to them last year," the big-serving American said.
"But I like our team. We have been dreaming for a while of having a home final and I think we're all just really excited about the opportunity. And we have the best doubles team in the world in our corner."
The dominant Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, have lost just once in 13 doubles Davis Cup matches.
Blake, like Roddick, believes the Memorial Coliseum surface will give the U.S. a massive boost.
"We love playing on indoor hard," the world number 13 said. "We've had some of our best results there.
"I think for Andy and myself it's a great situation. We're feeling really good and we know we're going to have a raucous crowd on our side. And I think the Bryans could play on Pluto and still be the favourites."
The U.S. have not won the Davis Cup since 1995 when Pete Sampras led the team to victory over Russia on clay in Moscow.
Davis Cup finalists Russia and US
Venue: Memorial Coliseum
Surface: Indoor hard
RUSSIA
Team (player singles ranking in brackets):
Nikolay Davydenko (4)
Mikhail Youzhny (19)
Igor Andreev (33)
Dmitry Tursunov (34)
Captain: Shamil Tarpishchev
Best result: Winners 2002, 2006
First year played: 1962 (as Soviet Union)
Years played: 43
Ties played (W-L): 113 (75-38)
Years in world group (1981 onwards): 21 (24-17)
Most total wins: Alex Metreveli (80-25)
Most singles wins: Alex Metreveli (56-14)
Most doubles wins: Sergei Likhachev (24-9), Alex Metreveli (24-11)
Best doubles team: Sergei Likhachev & Alex Metreveli (18-7)
Most ties played: Alex Metreveli (38)
Most years played: Alex Metreveli (14)
2007 results:
First round: Beat Chile 3-2
Quarter-final: Beat France 3-2
Semi-final: Beat Germany 3-2
United States
Team:
Andy Roddick (6)
James Blake (13)
Bob Bryan
Mike Bryan
Captain: Patrick McEnroe
Best result: Winners 31 times
First year played: 1900
Years played: 93
Ties played (W-L): 265 (204-61)
Years in world group (1981 onwards): 27 (52-20)
Most total wins: John McEnroe (59-10)
Most singles wins: John McEnroe (41-8)
Most doubles wins: John van Ryn (22-2)
Best doubles team: Peter Fleming & John McEnroe (14-1), John van Ryn & Wilmer Allison (14-2)
Most ties played: John McEnroe (30)
Most years played: John McEnroe (12)
2007 results:
First round: Beat Czech Republic 4-1
Quarter-final: Beat Spain 4-1
Semi-final: Beat Sweden 4-1
Russia v US head-to-head Davis Cup record
Head-to-head record between 2007 Davis Cup finalists Russia and the United States. 2006: Olympic Stadium, Moscow, indoor clay, World Group semi-final. Russia won 3-2 1998: Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta, outdoor hardcourt, World Group first round. U.S. won 3-2 1995: Olympic Stadium, Moscow, indoor clay, World Group final. U.S. won 3-2