Davis Cup Final: Nalbandian May Not Be Enough

The Davis Cup Tennis final begins in Moscow, Russia, this week on 1st December in the culmination of a long season of national team competition. The two remaining countries are Russia and Argentina with the former hot favourites to regain the title they last held in 2002. Meanwhile, Argentina are hoping to improve even further on recent close shaves in the Davis Cup where they have made the semi-final stage on a regular basis only to fall short each time.

Both countries have named the same players as those that were successful at semi-final stage but the captains will have to ponder about who should play the singles rubbers and who the doubles. In addition, each team has the option of replacing two players before the draw is made on 30 November.

The teams are:

Russia

Nikolay Davydenko
Dmitry Tursunov
Mikhail Youzhny
Marat Safin
(Captain - Shamil Tarpischev)

Argentina

David Nalbandian
Jose Acasuso
Agustin Calleri
Juan Ignacio Chela
(Captain - Alberto Mancini)

Russia have a deeper pool of talent to call upon. The star of the show is undoubtedly Nikolay Davydenko who finished the regular ATP season in a splendid third place in the rankings, albeit a distance behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Davydenko did not get to play in the semi-final as the team had sufficient quality in depth to see off the USA.

At the semi-final stage, the odds for an outright victory were quoted similarly at 6/4 for both Argentina and Russia but something seems to have happened since as Russia are now an almost prohibitive 2/5 with Blue Square Betting, the best price available. One factor is surely that Russia have home advantage. Another is that Argentina's opponent in the semi-final was the relatively weak Australian team.

If you feel that the quality of Argentina, including ATP 8th ranked David Nalbandian, could give the Russians a run for their money, you will find value at around 12/5 at Pinnacle Sports. Argentina's squad is certainly capable and all have been in the top 32 of the world rankings at some point this year.

Argentina's team captain, Alberto Mancini, says:

"We do not consider ourselves to be clear underdogs. We are capable of playing quality tennis and we will do our best to win."

From the Russians' point of view, their captain, Shamil Tarpischev, says:

"It's obvious that David Nalbandian, who is eighth in the world now, will be our most serious problem in the upcoming final."

The format of the final is that two singles rubbers will be played on Friday, a doubles on Saturday and the last, possibly deciding, singles matches on the Sunday.

May the best team win!

Ed note: The most competitive tennis prices are found at Pinnacle Sports where a 10% bonus is on offer and margins are the best around

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