DAVIS CUP SEMIFINALS

ARGENTINA 2, RUSSIA 0

David Nalbandian (pictured right) recorded a 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-4 win over World No. 19 Igor Andreev in two hours and 26 minutes to give Argentina an early lead over Russia in the semifinals of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas on Friday. World No. 7 Nalbandian now has a 26-6 career record (16-3 in singles rubbers) in the international men’s team competition.
The 26-year-old Cordoba resident hit three aces, 53 winners and saved all three break points he faced on serve. Nalbandian, who captured the Buenos Aires title in February and finished runner-up in Acapulco, improved to 31-12 on the season. Andreev dropped to 12-9 in Davis Cup play (9-5 in singles) and to 39-27 in 2008.
One of the hottest player in the last three months, Juan Martin del Potro, gave his country a 2-0 lead as he defeated top Russian Nikolay Davydenko 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. The 19-year-old (turns 20 next Tuesday) posted his biggest win over the No. 6-ranked Davydenko in his first Davis Cup home tie. Since a second round loss at Wimbledon, del Potro has won 24 of his last 25 matches.
Argentina has not lost on home soil in 10 years, winning 12 straight ties. The host nation is attempting to reach its third Davis Cup final, having lost to Russia in the 2006 final and to the U.S. in the 1981 final. If Argentina wins one of the final three rubbers this weekend, they will host Spain or the U.S. in the final Nov. 21-23.