• Davis Cup

Bhupathi says Davydenko out of Davis Cup tie

ESPN staff
March 1, 2010
Nikolay Davydenko damaged his wrist at the Dubai Tennis Championships © Getty Images
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Mahesh Bhupathi has made the claim that Nikolay Davydenko has been forced to pull out of Russia's Davis Cup tie with India this weekend.

The in-form world No. 6 retired during his clash with Michael Berrer in Dubai last week, citing the recurrence of a wrist injury. The injury made him a major doubt for the Davis Cup tie and Bhupathi says he has been told Davydenko will not play.

"Just heard Davydenko has pulled out of the tie," Bhupathi wrote on his Twitter page. "That should get the boys fired up."

With Davydenko seemingly out of the picture, Mikhail Youzhny will take on the role as Russia's No. 1 and will meet Indian Somdeev Devvarman in the opening day of competition.

"I didn't see how he played this week," Youzhny, the beaten finalist in Dubai, said of Devvarman. "But I have practised with him in previous years. I cannot tell you that I know him well, but I know him."

It is India's first appearance in the elite World Group since 1998 and Leander Paes is looking forward to the clash in Moscow.

"Davis Cup is going to be fun and I am looking forward to it," Paes, who was a beaten finalist in the Men's Doubles in Dubai, said. "I had a really good week here, as we just said, we played some good tennis. Russia are a tough team. They've got so many guys to choose from. So we have to be on top of our game."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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