Russia rallies past France, captures its first Davis Cup

PARIS -- No deficit was too daunting for Russia or Mikhail Youzhny in the Davis Cup final.

Russia became the first finalist in 38 years to overcome a 2-1 deficit, beating defending champion France to claim its first title when Youzhny fought off a two-set hole in the last match Sunday.

Youzhny, a ball boy the last time Russia played in a Davis Cup final, stunned Paul-Henri Mathieu 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 to give Russia a 3-2 edge in the best-of-five series.

"When I was down two sets to love, I told myself: 'I have to play my game, I have to do my best,"' said Youzhny, at 20 the same age as his opponent. "I won this match because I'm in top form. And even though I'm young, I already have experience in big matches."

Russia is just the sixth team to win a Davis Cup final after trailing 2-1. The last was Australia against the United States in 1964.

After the last point -- Mathieu hit a service return long -- the Russian team rushed onto the clay court, lifted Youzhny above their heads and began throwing him repeatedly into the air.

Each of Russia's team members then got a hug from former President Boris Yeltsin, who walked over from his seat in the stands.

"It was really a tough match," Russian captain Shamil Tarpishchev said. "I've never had such a tough match as the captain of the Russian team."

Youzhny entered with a 1-4 record in Davis Cup play. But he was chosen to replace two-time Grand Slam tournament champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who was tired after playing singles Friday and doubles Saturday -- losing both.

Kafelnikov had said he would retire if Russia won.

That seemed unlikely at the start of Sunday, when France held the lead and hoped to continue another trend: The team winning the doubles had won the previous 24 Davis Cup finals.