Russia Davis Cup team
Encyclopedia
The Russia Davis Cup team represents Russia
in Davis Cup
tennis
competition and is governed by the Russian Tennis Federation
. The team started playing in 1993.
Russia has won the Davis Cup twice, in 2002 and 2006, and finished as runner-up three times, in 1994, 1995, and 2007.
In 2007 Russia played in the World Group for the 15th consecutive year, the second-longest ongoing streak. They were ranked #1 in the Davis Cup ranking by the ITF
.
Heavily favored Russia was hosted by Israel
in a Davis Cup quarterfinal tie in July 2009, on indoor hard courts at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv
. Russia was the top-ranked country in Davis Cup standings. The stage was set by Safin, who prior to the tie told the press: "With all due respect, Israel was lucky to get to the quarterfinals." The Israeli team then beat the Russian team in each of their first three matches, thereby winning the tie. Harel Levy
, world # 210, beat Andreev, world # 24, 6–4, 6–2, 4–6, 6–2 in the opening match. Dudi Sela
(# 33) followed by beating Youzhny 3–6, 6–1, 6–0, 7–5. The next day Israelis Andy Ram
and Jonathan Erlich
beat Safin and doubles specialist Kunitsyn 6–3, 6–4, 6–7 (3), 4–6, 6–4 in front of a boisterous crowd of over 10,000. With the tie clinched for Israel, the reverse singles rubbers were "dead", and instead of best-of-five matches, best-of-three sets were played, with the outcomes of little to no importance. Israel wrapped up a 4–1 victory over Russia, as Levy defeated Kunitsyn 6–4, 4–6, 7–6 (2), while Sela retired with a wrist injury while down 3–4 in the first set against Andreev.
, as the Soviet Union
, until 1991, and in 1992 under the name of CIS
. Russia played a total of 117 series, of which they won 77 and lost 40. It won the Cup twice – in 2002 and 2006, respectively against France and Argentina. In 1994, 1995 and 2007 the team played in the final – against Sweden and USA, the latter two.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
in Davis Cup
Davis Cup
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
competition and is governed by the Russian Tennis Federation
Russian Tennis Federation
Russian Tennis Federation is a national governing body of tennis in Russia. It is the successor of the All-Russia Tennis Association and the Tennis Federation of the USSR...
. The team started playing in 1993.
Russia has won the Davis Cup twice, in 2002 and 2006, and finished as runner-up three times, in 1994, 1995, and 2007.
In 2007 Russia played in the World Group for the 15th consecutive year, the second-longest ongoing streak. They were ranked #1 in the Davis Cup ranking by the ITF
International Tennis Federation
The International Tennis Federation is the governing body of world tennis, made up of 205 national tennis associations.It was established as the International Lawn Tennis Federation by 12 national associations meeting at a conference in Paris, France on 1 March 1913...
.
Heavily favored Russia was hosted by Israel
Israel Davis Cup team
The Israel Davis Cup team represents Israel in Davis Cup tennis competition and is governed by the Israel Tennis Association....
in a Davis Cup quarterfinal tie in July 2009, on indoor hard courts at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
. Russia was the top-ranked country in Davis Cup standings. The stage was set by Safin, who prior to the tie told the press: "With all due respect, Israel was lucky to get to the quarterfinals." The Israeli team then beat the Russian team in each of their first three matches, thereby winning the tie. Harel Levy
Harel Levy
Har'el Levy is an Israeli professional male tennis player. Levy's best singles ranking was # 30 in the world in 2001, and his best doubles ranking was # 76 in 2007....
, world # 210, beat Andreev, world # 24, 6–4, 6–2, 4–6, 6–2 in the opening match. Dudi Sela
Dudi Sela
David "Dudi" Sela is an Israeli professional tennis player.Sela reached a career-high singles ranking of # 29 in July 2009. He is currently Israel's top men's singles player, ahead of Amir Weintraub.As a 17-year-old junior, he won the 2003 French Open boys' doubles championship with his doubles...
(# 33) followed by beating Youzhny 3–6, 6–1, 6–0, 7–5. The next day Israelis Andy Ram
Andy Ram
Andy Ram is a professional tennis player from Israel, and the first Israeli tennis player to win a seniors Grand Slam event . He plays more doubles than singles as he prefers doubles more and wins more matches...
and Jonathan Erlich
Jonathan Erlich
Jonathan Dario "Yoni" Erlich is a professional Israeli tennis player...
beat Safin and doubles specialist Kunitsyn 6–3, 6–4, 6–7 (3), 4–6, 6–4 in front of a boisterous crowd of over 10,000. With the tie clinched for Israel, the reverse singles rubbers were "dead", and instead of best-of-five matches, best-of-three sets were played, with the outcomes of little to no importance. Israel wrapped up a 4–1 victory over Russia, as Levy defeated Kunitsyn 6–4, 4–6, 7–6 (2), while Sela retired with a wrist injury while down 3–4 in the first set against Andreev.
Current Team
- Nikolay DavydenkoNikolay DavydenkoNikolay Vladimirovich Davydenko is a Ukrainian-Russian tennis player. Davydenko's best result in a Grand Slam tournament has been reaching the semifinals, which he has done on four occasions: twice each at the French Open and the U.S. Open. His biggest achievement to date was winning the 2009 ATP...
- Mikhail YouzhnyMikhail YouzhnyMikhail Mikhailovich Youzhny , is a professional Russian tennis player, noted for his consistency and all-court play style. He has been coached by Boris Sobkin for 17 years....
- Teymuraz Gabashvili
- Igor KunitsynIgor KunitsynIgor Kunitsyn is a professional male tennis player from Russia. He made it into the top 100 for the first time in 2006, and reached a career-high singles ranking of 35 on July 6, 2009.-Early life:...
- Igor AndreevIgor AndreevIgor Valerievich Andreev is a Russian professional tennis player, born in Moscow.-2003:Andreev made his ATP debut in September 2003 at Bucharest, Romania as a qualifier and defeated top seed Nikolay Davydenko 7–5, 6–7, 6–0 in the first round, before losing in the next round to José Acasuso.At the...
History
Russia competed in its first Davis Cup in 19621962 Davis Cup
The 1962 Davis Cup was the 51st edition of the most important tournament between national teams in men's tennis. 41 teams would enter the competition, 28 in the Europe Zone, 8 in the Eastern Zone, and 5 in the Americas Zone....
, as the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, until 1991, and in 1992 under the name of CIS
CIS
CIS usually refers to the Commonwealth of Independent States, a modern political entity consisting of eleven former Soviet Union republics.The acronym CIS may also refer to:-Organizations:...
. Russia played a total of 117 series, of which they won 77 and lost 40. It won the Cup twice – in 2002 and 2006, respectively against France and Argentina. In 1994, 1995 and 2007 the team played in the final – against Sweden and USA, the latter two.