Davydenko to play through pain

Davydenko to play through pain

The world number seven, nursing a wrist injury, will play number one for Russia after Australian Open champion Marat Safin pulled out of the squad with a knee injury.
"The wrist is better," Davydenko said after Thursday's draw, which pits him against Paul-Henri Mathieu on Friday.
Russian number two Igor Andreev plays French teenager Richard Gasquet.
"I'm going into the match with Mathieu intending to finish it and not only to finish it but to win it," said Davydenko, who retired from his last two matches because of the injury.
"I'm going to give it all on Friday and we'll see what happens after that."
Gasquet will be making his Davis Cup debut on clay at Moscow's Olympic Stadium. The 19-year-old reached the world's top 20 for the first time after winning his maiden ATP title in Nottingham last month.
He has posted some impressive victories this season, including beating world number one Roger Federer on clay in the Monte Carlo Masters.
"Of course right now I feel a bit nervous, but tomorrow when I step on the court I'm sure I'll be ready to fight," said the French number one.
France captain Guy Forget backed Gasquet.
"The ones who are playing singles have the best results on clay this season," said Forget.
"I think it's the wisest choice. It seems logical."
RUSSIA SURPRISE
Meanwhile, Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev surprised observers when he picked Davydenko over 2002 Davis Cup hero Mikhail Youzhny.
"The fact is that every one of our players is ready to play but we decided to go with Andreev and Davydenko to make it more difficult for our opponents and at the same time to give our team more options," Tarpishchev said.
The tie is the first meeting between the two nations since the 2002 final when Youzhny came from two sets down to beat Mathieu in the deciding fifth rubber in Paris to clinch Russia's first Davis Cup title.
Forget, a losing captain in 2002, was philosophical about that defeat.
"Of course, it is still a big memory for us but a lot of things have happened since," he said.
"It was a great sporting event which we lost in a fair manner and we all, including myself, have learnt from it. But now we have a new team which has a bright future."

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