ESPN.com - TENNIS - Russia leads Slovakia 2-1 after doubles victory

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Saturday, February 10
Russia leads Slovakia 2-1 after doubles victory



BRATISLAVA, Slovakia -- Marat Safin and Yevgeny Kafelnikov powered Russia to a 2-1 lead over Slovakia in their Davis Cup first-round tie on Saturday by beating Dominik Hrbaty and Jan Kroslak 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7).

The Slovaks opted just before the world group match to give Karol Kucera a rest after his five-set win over Safin on Friday, but it mattered little as the Russians took control from the opening point.

Hrbaty looked shaky on his serve early on, twice double-faulting to give Russia the breaks it needed. Kroslak proved he belonged on center stage with some strong returns while never losing a service game in the match.

A loss of concentration by both Russians in the third set allowed the underdogs a chance to fight their way back.

But the Slovaks could not overpower the Russian pair of former world No. 1s, losing a chance to force a fifth and deciding set by succumbing 9-7 in a tiebreak.

"We played pretty solidly in the first two sets but then a lack of concentration for a short period of time was enough for the Slovaks to come back," Kafelnikov said.

"We were fortunate to win the match in four sets."

Hrbaty must regain his form if he is to beat Safin in the opening singles on Sunday to keep his country in contention, and hope Mecir's move to rest Kucera pays off when he faces Kafelnikov.

"I made double faults at crucial times. But then I started to play better and I hope to keep that going tomorrow," Hrbaty said.

Kucera stunned Safin on Friday, coming back from two sets down to give the Slovaks an early lead in the tie.

"Karol was a bit tired and Jan was doing very well in practice," Mecir said in explaining his last-minute switch.

 




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