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Russia takes lead over Argentina in Davis Cup final

The Russian tennis team took the lead over Argentina at the Davis Cup final being played in Moscow these days. It took the Russian duo three sets defeat the Argentineans in the doubles match on Saturday. Marat Safin and Dmitry Tursunov beat David Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri 6-2 6-3 6-4. The final two games were played on Sunday.

After beating Safin only one day earlier, Nalbandian had his service broken twice in the first set and once more in the second. Then to open the third set, the Russians broke Calleri`s serve and the game was soon over, after one hour 38 minutes. Safin was not intended to play in the doubles match, and was called to replace Mikhail Youzhny in the line-up. Youzhny has yet to recover from an ankle injury he sustained four weeks ago.

"I knew from the beginning of the week that I wanted to play all three days,"Safin said. "I wouldn`t have taken `no` for an answer." The Russians are one victory away from winning their second Davis Cup title, following their memorable victory in 2002. Argentina has never won the title.