Russia thrash Argentina in doubles to take 2-1 lead

MOSCOW, Dec 2 (Reuters) Marat Safin and Dmitry Tursunov hammered David Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri 6-2 6-3 6-4 in the doubles today to give Russia a 2-1 lead against Argentina in the Davis Cup final.

Nalbandian, who played superb tennis when he thrashed Safin in straight sets in Friday's singles, looked a shadow of his former self just 20 hours later.

The Russians broke the Argentine number one twice in the first set and once more in the second to take a two-set lead.

They broke Calleri's serve in the opening game of the third on their way to clinching a surprisingly one-sided victory after one hour 38 minutes.

Former world number one Safin had replaced Mikhail Youzhny in Russia's line-up before the match because the 2002 Davis Cup hero apparently has still not fully recovered from a serious ankle injury he sustained four weeks ago.

Yesterday, Russian number one Nikolay Davydenko beat Juan Ignacio Chela in the opening rubber before Nalbandian levelled the score by crushing Safin, who complained then that he disliked the fast indoor surface at Moscow's Olympic arena.

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

REUTERS PDS PM1857