Russia within stone's throw of Davis Cup defeat

Russia has had the worst possible start to the Davis Cup Final, losing the first two rubbers to the U.S. America now need just one more point to win the title for the first time in 12 years.

Dmitry Tursunov was first on court for the defending champions but was blasted away by Andy Roddick in straight sets.

Mikhail Youzhny then failed to produce the goods against James Blake at the Memorial Coliseum.  It was a much closer affair with three of the sets going to tie-break. Blake edged out the Russian, three sets to one.

That means the Bryan brothers will be hot favourties to clinch victory for the hosts on Saturday when they play Davydenko and Andreev in the doubles.