Safin to play in Davis Cup quarter-final
Published 06 April, 2008, 02:00
Russian Davis Cup captain Shamil Tarpishchev says two-time Grand Slam winner Marat Safin will play a part in Russia’s quarter-final tie against the Czech Republic next week at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Marat Safin and Dmitry Tursunov opened Russia’s practice session almost a week before the start of the tie, both having just arrived from the Miami Masters where Safin lost his third straight opening match this year.
Safin's won just one game so far this season but remains the fans’ choice and his presence in the team after a one-year break adds to the atmosphere.
Team Captain Shamil Tarpishchev says the team’s extremely fit, so he has a rare chance to choose from a variety of top class players.
“I have to wait and see who feels more comfortable on this kind of surface, and only then I’ll make up my mind. However, I’m sure Safin will play in this tie. His appearance in the singles is a possibility because Nikolay Davydenko is still at the Miami Masters and it won't be that he'll arrive in Moscow until Tuesday,” Tarpishchev said.
Meanwhile, Safin gave his own view of his recent form: “I’ve won just one official match this year – not the best of starts to the season. But I’m eager to do better, especially with the team,” he said.
Tarpishchev also gave his views on the recent emotional turmoil of Mikhail Youzhny. The Russian beat his head with a racket because of an unforced error in his match against Nicolas Almagro.
“He’s the most emotional of Russian players. I don’t see any negative tendency in that single incident. He’s willing to play for the team and hopefully will be able to,” he said.
Igor Andreev, who’s also been named in the preliminary team, will arrive in Moscow on Sunday.
The Czechs, led by world number ten Tomas Berdych and the experienced Radek Stepanek, are expected on the same day as well.
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