PORTLAND, Oregon - Russian captain Shamil Tarpishchev sprang a surprise on Thursday when he omitted Nikolay Davydenko from the singles matches in this week's Davis Cup final against the United States.

Nikolay Davydenko of Russia hits a return to Fernando Gonzales of Chile at the Masters Cup tennis tournament in Shanghai in this November 16, 2007, file photo. Russia's team captain Shamil Tarpishchev, whose team face the United States in this weekend's Davis Cup final, compares his job to that of a national soccer team manager before an important World Cup or Euro qualifier. [Agencies] Tarpishchev, who has guided the Russians to two Davis Cup titles since 2002, said he had left out his top player, the world number four, for tactical reasons.

Dmitry Tursunov, ranked 34th in the world, will take on American number one Andy Roddick in Friday's first match at Memorial Coliseum.

Mikhail Youzhny, the world number 19 who was nominated by Tarpishchev as Russia's leading player for the three-day tie, will meet James Blake in the second match.

"It's very simple," Tarpishchev told a news conference after the official draw ceremony. "We have four equal players and the choice of Youzhny was made for tactical reasons.

"We have a strong team and they are all versatile," he added, speaking through an interpreter. "With this team, we have won two Davis Cups and we hope to do well again this week."

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