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
招聘人员不会告诉你的十件事
17种讨人厌微博朋友圈 你中了几箭
妹妹患癌 姐姐替她生下宝宝
囧研究:脸宽的男人更富有?
美国石油大王婚变,巨额财产如何分割?
科学家发现绝佳购物音乐
C罗荣膺欧洲年度最佳球员奖
加州出奇招吸引赴美旅游的中国游客
女大学生现身说法三种危险情况如何自我防范
美通缉犯参加冰桶挑战 暴露行踪被抓
朋友借钱忘了还?3招帮你巧妙化解
警惕社交媒体的10个不良影响
美国最新研究 走神能提高学习效率
逗比小萝莉:不想让弟弟长大哭晕
世界首个蝙蝠侠主题4D过山车
加沙围城7周 巴以终达成停火协议
天才or吃货?宝宝出生三天会抓奶瓶
囧研究 矮个男子婚姻更持久
聪明的熊猫 为吹空调假装怀孕
土拨鼠太胖卡在洞里 俄罗斯夫妇路过相救
《老友记》缘何已成明日黄花?
颠覆三观:最新调查表明早餐无用
埃博拉疫情防控:“肥皂桶挑战”
未来器官移植靠什么 3D打印部件愈加成熟
你不是真正的快乐:向前七步,找回本真
直击埃博拉疫情:卡车堆满尸体 如人间地狱
阿里巴巴云计算有多强大?
职场潜规则 工作中你该如何道歉
世界最小土豪:9岁萌娃开饼干公司
印度机长只顾看平板 客机突降千米
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |