[新聞]Voltchkov Sends Belarus Through
http://www.daviscup.com/news/matchreport.asp?id=12781
Voltchkov Sends Belarus Through
Vladimir Voltchkov has beaten Mikhail Youzhny 75 62 64 in the fifth and
decisive rubber in Minsk, to give Belarus victory against Russia in its
first ever World Group tie. The reward for the 3-2 triumph is a tie at
home to Argentina in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinals.
Belarusian captain Sergei Teterin summed up the elation in the home camp:
“I would like to thank all guys for their fantastic playing. We are a
real team that is capable of many things.
“In 2001 we lost the tie to Argentina. But it was on a slow covering in
Buenos Aires. In the quarterfinal we will play at home and do all we can
to raise chances of our guys."
It wasn't the line-up or the result that many had expected for the final
rubber in Minsk. When Vladimir Voltchkov injured his ankle in the opening
rubber on Friday, it seemed that his involvement in the tie was over. With
the tie level at two rubbers all on Sunday, it was however expected that
Marat Safin would come out for a routine win against Alexander Shvec.
But in fact Safin was unable to take the court, and Voltchkov was, so it
was down to Voltchkov and Youzhny to decide which nation would be heading
into the quarterfinals, and which would be heading for the World Group
Play-offs in September.
Voltchkov’s appearance against Youzhny after appearing on crutches in
Saturday’s presentation ceremony shocked everyone including his opponent.
Youzhny could not concentrate in any way and lost the third game on his
own serve. Gradually, the Russian calmed down and levelled the score in
the eighth game on the Voltchkov serve. In the 11th game the Belarusian
saved two break points, going on to win the first set 75.
In the second set, Voltchkov started to play better from the baseline.
He raced to the net seldom but productively. Youzhny was absolutely
demoralized. Having lost the third and the fifth games on his serve,
he sat on a bench and covered his head with a towel. The result of the
second set was 62 to Voltchkov.
The character of the match did not change a lot in the third set. Vladimir
took the first game on Youzhny’s serve and took their duel to its logical
conclusion. After the match Voltchkov received tributes from all over the
Minsk area; then the party moved onto the Minsk streets.
At the conclusion of the tie the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenka,
congratulated the winners and declared that he was rewarding them with the
highest state awards.
"We assumed that the Belarusians would prepare something for us. But we did
not expect that Voltchkov would play. Still yesterday it was impossible to
think that a person on crutches can be ready to play. As for Youzhny, he
had not totally recovered after yesterday's doubles match. Besides Mikhail
was psychologically cracked by Voltchkov's appearance,” said Russian captain
Shamil Tarpischev.
"Certainly, I would have liked very much to use Vladimir for the doubles
match yesterday but it was impossible," said Teterin. "That is because we
purposefully prepared him for Sunday. After Voltchkov's appearance on the
court our opponents went through a psychological shock. Vladimir is the real
fighter and he bore down all challenges with honor."
"I told everybody around excepting for Voltchkov that we had not any chances,
" said Max Mirnyi. "I have no doubts, there is someone in Heaven and this
someone has helped us."
“In the rubber with Andreev I went through a painful shock and was delivered
in hospital," said the hero, Voltchkov. "Thank God, it was neither fracture
nor break. I have been carried in hospital and I passed through medical
procedures on the most modern equipment four times yesterday and once this
morning. I would like to thank our great doctors who can put the injured
person on back on his feet for one day."
Belarus always seemed to have a chance of winning after Australian Open
runner-up Safin first showed how tired he was by yawning at Thursday's draw.
Mirnyi and Voltchkov had the opportunity to get three points in the first
two days of struggle: Vladimir was leading by two sets to one when he retired
against Igor Andreev; Mirnyi won in five sets against Safin; and Mirnyi and
Alexander Shvec quite adequately resisted before losing to Safin and Youzhny
in the doubles. If Voltchkov had been able to play instead of Shvec, who had
not played for a year and a half, the result of the tie would be clear
already on Saturday.
Now Russia will have to assert its right to remain in the Davis Cup World
Group by competing in September's World Group Play-offs with the other first
round losers and winners of the Group I zonal ties. Meanwhile Belarus will
battle against Argentina in Minsk in the World Group quarterfinals. Three
years ago, the Argentinians beat the Belarusian team 5-0 in Buenos Aires in
the Qualifying Round of the World Group. Now captain Sergei Teterin's team
has the opportunity to take revenge on the South Americans. Time will show.
The Davis Cup World Group first round tie was a novelty for Belarus and the
host team had worked hard for it. In the Football Manege stadium in Minsk,
a quick Taraflex carpet had been laid and stands for 4500 people erected.
It is already possible to assert with confidence that this home victory
will prompt a new wave of popularity for tennis in Belarus.
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