Safin Leads Russia to Davis Cup Semifinals

HEAD players enjoyed great success at the Davis Cup World Group Quarterfinals April 6-8.

Russia vs. France
In a heroic fight on Friday, HEAD player Mikhail Youzhny held off fellow HEAD player Richard Gasquet in a marathon five-setter. Despite a leg cramp, Youzhny, defeated Gasquet 6-2, 6-3, 6-7, 5-7, 8-6 bringing France into the lead. Both, Youzhny and Gasquet, play with the new HEAD MicroGel Extreme Pro racquet.

However, on Sunday, HEAD player Sebastien Grosjean evened the score with another five set win against Igor Andreev 7-5, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 using his HEAD Flexpoint Radical MP.

In the end, HEAD player Marat Safin won the deciding match for Russia. Safin was up for the challenge with his HEAD Flexpoint Prestige Mid and won each set against Frenchman Paul Henri Mathieu.

Sweden vs. Argentina
HEAD Player Robin Soderling gave Sweden a 2-0 lead after day one of the Davis Cup World Group quarterfinal between Sweden and Argentina in Gothenburg. Soderling defeated Argentina’s Juan del Potro in three straight sets, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 with his Flexpoint Radical MP.

Belgium vs. Germany
Germany moved into the Davis Cup semifinals with the help of HEAD player Alexander Waske and his doubles partner Michael Kohlmann. The pair beat Olivier and Christophe Rochus 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 clinching the semifinal spot for Germany. Waske’s racquet of choice is the HEAD Flexpoint Prestige Mid.

In addition to the accomplishments by HEAD players in the quarterfinals, the new HEAD balls also appeared in the Russia vs. France tie and Belgium vs. Germany. The 2007 Davis Cup World Group semifinals will take place September 21-23, 2007. Russia will have choice of ground against Germany. The use of HEAD balls for this tie is already confirmed. Sweden will have home advantage versus Team USA.