Guillermo Canas is not officially on the team for Argentina, but he is there for support and to practice with the team after his drug suspension.

Based on online pics and shots of him during the Davydenko vs. Chela match, Canas is looking very good. I think he is hot and I like his game so I can't for him to come back to the tour.

It's weird, I've always liked Canas, but I don't know what to do with that now that he's been suspended twice for drug use.

I am pulling for Russia in this. I used to like the Argentine guys, and I still like Chela quite a bit, but as a whole they just seem whinney and bitchy. Enough already.

Glad to see they're playing indoors on carpet.

I'm so torn. Based on the squads themselves, I'd much rather Russia win, because of my adoration for Marat Safin. Yet that comes in direct conflict with my devotion to Argentina via Gabriela. Argentina's never won the Davis Cup and I know Gaby's pulling for the gauchos ... ugh! What's a girl to do?

Don't forget...if Russia wins, so does Tursunov. That should count for something too.

Is Gaby playing Davis Cup. My bad, I thought all these years she was a woman (that one's for WWCD).

Tursanov, Schmursanov.

I think Gaby would have done better against Davydenko than Chela did.

Good win for Daveydanko, since he never beat Chela before. Chela can me a tough cookie, even on faster indoor courts. Looking forward to hearing about the Safin/Nalbandian match. Should be interesting. It seems like these two play each other all the time lately.

Ouch, Safin loses in straight sets to Nalbandian. Say what you will about Nalbandian, he can pull out a win against anybody. I don't think he can win this rubber on his own, though. The Russian fans will at least get three full days of tennis as no one can clinch it until the Sunday singles.

I'm giving the Russians the edge in doubles.

Safin lost in straight sets and I'm not surprised. Hey, I love the guy too, but he's erratic as hell. I think Russia is making a big mistake using him -- he should be a backup.

The only way I'd use him is if, hypothetically, you were playing Switzerland and needed a win against Federer -- Safin can beat anyone or lose to anyone one on any given day. And a random chance of beating Federer is more than anyone else has.

When Nalbandian's playing well, he's a very difficult opponent for anyone. I think he's the only reason Argentina has a chance in this tie. Safin blamed the surface, but I doubt it made much of a difference. Nalbandian seems equally effective on all surfaces to me.

I thought it was odd that Tarpischev suggested that the Argentinian's strength was depth, because I think Russia has greater depth these days.

See Guillermo Canas:

Guillermo Canas

The pic is correct, but the description is incorrect. It identifies him as Calleri.

Safin/Tursunov steamrolled Nalbandian/Calleri in the doubles match. They probably should play doubles together more often.

I wouldn't be surprised if Tursunov played one of tomorrow's singles matches. He looked solid in the doubles match.

For some strange reason, Tursunov reminds me of Wes from MTV's Real World/Road Rules Challenge.

Russia defeated Argentina 3-2.

Safin defeated Acasuso in the decisive match.

After Safin's defeat to Nalbandian, I was worried about Safin being picked to play the decisive match. I would have chosen Tursunov, based on his recent Davis Cup results and on his play in yesterday's doubles match.

I thrilled for Marat, particularly because he had lost to Nalbandian earlier in the tie. It's a great way to end his year and I'm hoping the emotional high will lead to a hot start in '07.

Great win for Marat. Hopefully this gives him some momentum in '07. And maybe he'll start wearing less clothing.

Gaby looked so cute in the stands cheering for her countrymen! (She needs to lay off the tortillas for a while though.)

Bitch.

you know i will side with G4G on any issue, but that was funny!

I can't believe it. WWCD has even gotten my beloved curtj to switch to the Dark Side!!

That was a handsome battle between Safin and Chucho, both of whom have such potential and are so inconsistent.
Chucho has had to deal with some tough and tearful losses this year -- this one and the one earlier in a final where he was up two sets and a break over Ferrer and then folded. I hope he regroups so he can start 2007 strong like he did in Chile this past spring.