Russian HEAD Players Bring Davis Cup Home

HEAD player Marat Safin helped Russia to once again bring home the Davis Cup. In 2002, the team brought home winning honors with three matches in three days, but this time Safin won the third point in a decisive fifth match in front of his hometown fans.

Safin defeated fellow HEAD player Jose Acasuso 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) to give Russia the Davis Cup, rejecting Argentina’s hopes of becoming the 13th different nation to win the trophy. Acasuso, Argentina’s No. 2 player and the world No. 27, was just one ranking spot lower than Safin, and led the Russian 2-1 in previous encounters.

Russian team captain Shamil Tarpischev had to choose between fielding Safin or fellow HEAD player Dmitry Tursunov in the final singles match, but in the end selected Safin. Both Tursunov and Safin played the doubles on Saturday against David Nalbandian and HEAD player Agustin Calleri and won in three straight sets.

Safin, Acasuso and Calleri dominate the court with the HEAD Flexpoint Prestige Mid racquet. Tursunov prefers the HEAD Flexpoint Prestige MP.

The Davis Cup is the one of the premier international team events in men's tennis. Countries aspire to compete in the elite World Group of 16 nations which comprises four rounds of competition spread over four weekends during the year. The final was played on carpet at the Olympic Indoor Stadium in Moscow. Russia’s ball choice was the new HEAD ATP ball which has been launched earlier this year.