Safin might play for Russia vs. USA
Marat Safin may play for defending champion Russia in the Davis Cup final against the United States.
After losing in the first round of the Madrid Masters last week, the two-time Grand Slam champion said he was cutting short his season and would not play in the final in Portland, Oregon, starting Nov. 30.
But the ITAR-Tass news agency on Sunday said Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev had suggested a final decision was still to be taken.
"Right now, Safin is bothered with pain in his right wrist," Tarpischev was quoted as saying. "But if in two weeks there is no pain in his hand, Safin by all means will be included in the Russian team."
Safin has a 29-18 win-loss record in the Davis Cup and scored a decisive point in Russia`s 3-2 win in the final against Argentina in Moscow last year. He skipped the semifinals against Germany in September .
Safin and Dmitry Tursunov paired at the Kremlin Cup earlier this month on Tarpischev`s request to practice for the Davis Cup doubles match. The Russians won the Kremlin Cup title.
Tarpischev said there was nobody to substitute for Safin in the doubles.
"Only in this case (with Safin) Russia has a chance for a positive result," Tarpischev said.
He estimated the chances in the match as 65-to-35 in favor of the U.S.
Tarpischev said that the quick indoor hardcourt with a fast bounce required powerful baseline play and a difficult serve - which Safin and Tursunov have.
Fourth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Youzhny and Igor Andreev are also on the Russian roster.
Andy Roddick, James Blake and the top-ranked doubles pairing of Bob and Mike Bryan are expected to play for the United States.
Russia beat the U.S.3-2 on clay in Moscow in last year`s semifinals.
The four-player teams will be named 10 days before the match.
The Americans have won the Davis Cup title a record 31 times, but not since 1995, when Pete Sampras led the team to victory over Russia in Moscow.
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