MOSCOW — Russia and Argentina attempted to cast off the favourites' tag Tuesday ahead of their Davis Cup quarter-final in Moscow.
Russia, led by No. 6-ranked Nikolay Davydenko, has not lost at home in the Davis Cup since its 1995 final defeat to the United States and has a 3-2 record against Argentina in the event.
With Argentina missing star players Juan Martin Del Potro and Juan Monaco, Russia looks to be in a good position ahead of the match, but captain Shamil Tarpischev said it would be tight.
"We are in an equal position in this tie," Tarpischev said. "Both teams have the same problems, so we will step on the court and try to do our best.
"We always play tough matches with Argentina. We win at home but lose away. Argentina is a team which has many players to choose from and has deserved to win a title for a long time."
Argentina captain Tito Vazquez said Russia had to be the favourite because of its 17-match winning streak in Moscow, which includes a victory over the south Americans in the 2006 final at the Olympic indoor stadium.
"A home team is usually a favourite in a tie," Vazquez said. "And statistically Russia is — it's unbeaten here in 17 ties. But I'm sure we will play our best."
Davydenko is fit again after a wrist injury and is joined in the Russia team by Mikhail Youzhny, Teimuraz Gabashvili and Igor Kunitsyn.
Argentina has called on three players — Horacio Zeballos, Eduardo Schwank and Leonardo Mayer — that helped it surprise Sweden in the first round in March. The experienced David Nalbandian is also in the team.
"We are happy to have David in the team," Vazquez said of the 28-year-old Nalbandian, who has slipped to No. 153 after a series of injuries.
"He is playing well and is in good shape. He also can give good advice to his teammates, who have played just one or two matches for the team."
Nalbandian, who has a 29-9 record in the Davis Cup, missed much of last season through injury and has been sidelined with a hamstring problem since April.
"The Davis Cup is very important for Nalbandian — he is playing for his country," Davydenko said. "Two five-set matches will boost his confidence ahead of the next (ranking) tournaments. He is a dangerous player no matter how long he has been sidelined for."
Davydenko, who missed the French Open with his wrist injury, said he was not sure about his current form.
"If I wasn't injured and had played every week, I could have said I was confident and was playing well," Davydenko said. "But I haven't played for three months and have just had a couple of matches on grass, which I do not like. So I cannot say right now how I am playing. Only time will tell."
The match will be played on a hard court, which could hand Russia a slight advantage.
"The Kremlin Cup is played on this surface, as are most of our Davis Cup ties," Tarpischev said. "This surface is familiar to our players and they quickly adjust to it.
"But all will depend on how we manage to prepare for the match and how we find the best lineup which will help us to win."
The opening singles are scheduled for Friday, followed by a doubles match on Saturday. The reverse singles, if needed, are on Sunday.
The winner of the match will face Spain or France in the semifinals on Sept. 17-19.
.... Russians wearing BLUE???:?:
Davy breaks Dave! 
