MOSCOW, December 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and Argentina tied 1-1 Friday, on the first day of the three-day Davis Cup final in Moscow, after Argentina's David Nalbandian equalized in the second rubber with a victory over Marat Safin.
World No.8 Nalbandian beat Safin, No.26 in the ATP world rankings, in three sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
World No.3 Nikolai Davydenko defeated Juan Ignacio Chela (33) in the final's first rubber, 3-1 (6-1, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4).
Russia's line-up for the final, announced by team captain Shamil Tarpischev, also includes World No.22 Dmitry Tursunov, Mikhail Yuzhny (24), and reserve Yevgeny Korolyov (103).
Youzhny and Tursunov will play against Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri in the doubles on Saturday. The two remaining rubbers are set for Sunday.