Russians say Marat Safin won’t play Davis Cup

Russian Davis Cup team captain Shamil Tarpischev went on the record today, telling the press fellow countryman Marat Safin would not be in attendance at the Davis Cup. There has been some speculation on whether Safin was flying under the radar and would be making an appearance in Oregon but Tarpischev was fairly emphatic with his statements.

“I think these guys [the Russian Davis Cup team] play better than Marat, and he is not going to be here.”

Well, you can’t get much more plain than that, aeh?

Bob Bryan, a member of the top-ranked doubles team with brother Mike wasn’t so sure about Safin’s stated absence this weekend.

“It might be some trick they have up their sleeve. Who knows?”

Indeed Bob, way to put the question to the table.