Okay, Russia is already in the next round in all but name, with Safin defeating Krivoi (who?) and Youzhny defeating Hanescu. The rest are formalities.Well done boys.

Meanwhile, the first matches of Spain-Serbia tie were postponed due to heavy winds and rain which destroyed some sections of the stadium (and were making a good work on a press-center, if a Serbian journo in Spain is to be believed). Problem is, winds and rain are expected on Saturday also. Possibly Nadal will get bonked with a flying chair? That would up the odds of the tie being competitive dramatically.

Or alternately, they could bring Pashanski on court - to verbally abuse and discourage Spanish players and officials. I'm sure that would be of some help also.

Failing that, just lose 0-3 and head straignt to Indian Wells.

A total wash.

Instead of Djoko-Youzhny and Djoko-Kolya we got a challenger-level clown Troicki and old fart  doubles specialist Zimonjic. Bleeeargh. One good thing - I was actually capable of working today after 1 pm. So Russia is up 2-0 after the 1st day and the tie is all but won. Yay?

Yay, actually, for Nole this defeat might be a blessing in disguise. In the year when every race point counts, and with the Olympics along the road, the Davis Cup on top of all that would be too much to chew. He saddled himself with it like a good little patriot, but now that he's been offered an honorable exit, he should take it methinks.

Blake and Koubek are still slugging it out, btw.

So, now that Marat is out of the upcoming Serbia tie, I find myself disgustingly unpatriotic. Honestly, could the guy at least catch a break. He most probably wasn't going to play singles anyway, now doubles are questionable too. And I just can't bring myself to cheer for Russia as a team now, I just don't give a damn about most of them.

So, tomorrow Misha is playing Nole. I hate it when two of my faves play each other, seriously. I'm never able to take it calmly and let the best man win - so lots of angst tomorrow for me. And the worst thing, I will be working at the time - antsy, moody and unable to concentrate on anything. So going back to cheering question, I guess it really depends how the tie will pan out - I will be rooting for Misha, and I've not the slightest who I'll be rooting for in the doubles (if Marat won't play, that is), as for Sunday, the only thing that could made me root for Davydenko against Nole, is an AK-47 to the head.

Why this tie has to be at such an early stage. Why? And the worst thing, I think I'm gonna be miserable no matter what the result. 

And Nole needs to shave. Seriously.

Sigh.