Nalbandian crushes Safin to pull Argentina level

MOSCOW, Dec 1 (Reuters) Argentine number one David Nalbandian overpowered Russia's Marat Safin 6-4 6-4 6-4 in the second singles match of the Davis Cup final today to level the three-day tie at 1-1.

The eighth-ranked Nalbandian broke the former world number one early in the first two sets before securing a key break in the seventh game of the third set and closed out the match with a powerful ace down the middle.

Earlier, Nikolay Davydenko beat Juan Ignacio Chela 6-1 6-2 5-7 6-4 in the opening rubber to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

The world number three finally broke his jinx against Chela after losing all his five previous matches to the unheralded Argentine.

Davydenko totally dominated the first two sets, breaking Chela twice in the opener and twice more in the second to go up 2-0 on the fast indoor surface at Moscow's Olympic arena.

The 33rd-ranked Argentine took the third set but Davydenko regained control in the fourth, wrapping up the contest on his second match point in just over three hours.

Russia are aiming to win their second Davis Cup title, following their triumph in 2002, while Argentina are chasing their maiden crown.

REUTERS PDS RK2228