DAVIS CUP - RUSSIA vs FRANCE

November 30, 2002

Yevgeny Kafelnikov

MODERATOR: Questions for the Russians, please.

MARAT SAFIN: The difference was that they start to play well at 2-Love in the fourth set. They were just lucky so many times. We were basically controlling the match. They made a break, they started to playing well. Every shot that they hit, everything was good. Any shot they make, it was perfect. At the end, of course, they just take confidence, and that's why they beat us.

MARAT SAFIN: The score was 3-2, 3-All, I don't know. I knew that I had to hold the serve. Unfortunately, I didn't serve any first serves, but I had good second serves. They played well and I couldn't do anything.

MARAT SAFIN: Yeah, but still we had the opportunity. We could have made the second break to Escude in the fourth set. But then they start to play well. They get confident. That's it. Of course, they made the break to us. They start to play well.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: No, it didn't stop the momentum. As you would probably recall, we made a break right away, were up 2-Love. At that time, you know, momentum was completely on our side. But then, like Marat said, we lost a very unfortunate game at 2-Love on Santoro's serve with two shanks of Escude's frames. If it would be in the fourth set, the match would be over. Unfortunately, I lost my serve at 2-1 with a few also net balls. Santoro was coming up with unbelievable lobs throughout the match. When it happened like that, we give them confidence again back, and then they start to play. Then basically we had to start the whole match all over again.

YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV: Feeling (laughter)? You know, there is always another day, tomorrow. The matches are not over. We'll see what happen tomorrow.

MARAT SAFIN: We'll have to play, and we'll have to play well. We'll have to win if we want to still be in the match and still have an opportunity to win the Davis Cup. Unfortunately, it's 2-1, I have to play tomorrow after having played a long match. I will play. I will see tomorrow. I will try to recover from today and I will try to win tomorrow, if you want to still have a chance to win.

CAPTAIN TARPISCHEV: Well, the game was equal, and I think that both teams played rather well. But I must say that both team deserved the victory, but the French team was a bit more lucky to win. My congratulations.

CAPTAIN TARPISCHEV: Well, this is our style. It's really our Russian style. I must say that I am sitting on my bench for 25 years, and that's why all the guys, all the players are accustomed to this way of behavior.

CAPTAIN TARPISCHEV: I would say it is not attributed only to Santoro. As far as the advances to the net are concerned, the French team played better. They played better the volleys, as well. This is the result of the match. That's why they won.

CAPTAIN TARPISCHEV: You know, the thing is our bench is not as long as the bench of the French team. That is one of the reasons our game was playing this way. As far as tomorrow's match is concerned, we'll see how we'll play it.

CAPTAIN TARPISCHEV: It's not my question. I've never benched Grosjean playing.

CAPTAIN TARPISCHEV: Well, it's a technical question. Safin is playing very well and he's keeping his side very firmly. His service is a bit less strong than the service of the Safin. That is one of the reasons he played that way. This is only one part of the question. I will elaborate a bit. Remember, Safin made several faults. The last so to say straight period of the match, it was an undesirable period for us. That is why it all happens like that.

CAPTAIN TARPISCHEV: There was no relaxation on the part of Safin. The thing is that you cannot just lead the match, you cannot play the match on the same level, and that is why. Those who did try, those who overcame such drawbacks. Unfortunately, we failed to do it.

CAPTAIN TARPISCHEV: I'll answer you like this. Unfortunately, Kafelnikov was not that good as far as his health was concerned. Safin, unfortunately did not have enough points to make it. That's why they played only two tournaments together. This is such a problem that cannot be overcome and overpassed by the captain of the team.

CAPTAIN TARPISCHEV: There are no laws here. We should play, and we may win. The thing is that we must recreate today and then we'll see how it goes.

CAPTAIN TARPISCHEV: I'll give you the definite answer for this. Tomorrow you're playing on which side? Kind of a joke. I'll give you the answer tomorrow.

CAPTAIN TARPISCHEV: Yes, I would say a lot of facts depends on psychological readiness. I think tomorrow we'll see how it goes and how the two players will play.