Safin sends Russia into Davis Cup final

Marat Safin sent Russia into the Davis Cup final by beating David Nalbandian of Argentina 7-6, 6-7, 6-0, 6-3 in the first reverse singles of their semi-final on Sunday.

That gave the home side an insurmountable 3-1 lead and set up a clash in the final against France who beat the U.S. in the other semi in Paris.

Argentine captain Alejandro Gattiger gambled by replacing his number one player Gaston Gaudio with Nalbandian, who reached the singles final at Wimbledon this year.

After battling each other for nearly two hours and splitting the first two tie-breakers, Safin, using his powerful serve and return, broke Nalbandian three times to wrap-up the third set 6-0 in just 28 minutes.

In the fourth, the former U.S. Open champion forced a decisive break in the eight game to take a 5-3 lead, then held serve to clinch the match and the tie on his fourth opportunity.

The victory put Russia into the final for the third time in eight years.

Nalbandian and Lukas Arnold brought Argentina back into the three-day tie by outlasting Safin and Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the longest doubles match in Davis Cup history -- six hours 20 minutes -- on Saturday.

Safin and Kafelnikov had given Russia a 2-0 lead by beating Juan Ignacio Chela and Gaudio respectively in Friday's singles.