"Davydenko was not in good physical form, so I had no choice but to take a risk with Tursunov on Sunday," Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev explained. "Besides, Dmitry wanted to play very much, he was really pumped up for it."

Tursunov handsomely repaid Tarpishchev's trust, securing Russia's first victory over their former Cold War adversaries in Davis Cup after they lost two previous ties, including the 1995 Moscow final on a similar clay surface.

TENNIS TOLSTOY

Afterwards, Tursunov was asked if he knew he would get a chance to face the Americans.

"I don't know. We have four good players on our team, so I was just hoping for a chance to play," he said.

He was modest about his victory over Roddick.

"It wasn't his best surface but the same can be said about myself," said the Russian, who prefers hard courts and grass.

Just as he had done in the match against Roddick, Tursunov quickly grew in confidence at his post-match news conference.

Asked if he would have picked himself for the tie, Tursunov said: "I'd pick myself for all five rubbers except the doubles."

Tursunov and Youzhny lost to the world number one doubles team, American twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan, on Saturday.

Tursunov, known as the Tolstoy of tennis because he regularly writes for the ATP website about his personal experiences on the tour, was asked what the win against Roddick would do for his future career.

"I don't think I can properly comprehend this victory just yet," he said, choosing his words carefully. "No doubt, this is one of my best matches, certainly the longest of my career. But I hope all my best matches are still ahead of me."

Tursunov is now expected to play a major role in the Davis Cup final with Argentina in Moscow in December when the Russians will certainly chose a fast surface against the clay-court specialists from South America.

"Argentina has a very strong, confident team," he said.

"But so is our team. Certainly, if I get a chance to play in the final, I will not be as nervous as I was now. This match against Roddick has given me a huge confidence boost, no doubt."

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