Andy Roddick will face Marat Safin in the first singles’ match-up in this Davis Cup Semifinal in Moscow, Russia, on Friday, September 22nd at the Indoor Olympic Stadium. The USA teammates looked very handsome at the dinner the other night, all wearing black suits with golden ties, stating they are going for gold this weekend.

Andy and Safin have faced off five times, four times alone in 2004 and Houston that year was their last encounter. Though Andy holds the lead in this head-to-head record 3-2, winning the last three meetings in a row, the scores speak for themselves. Each match had at least one tie break, and their fourth clash was nothing but. Andy came out victorious as the dominator of the breakers.

There are elements that are both in favor and against Andy in his sixth meeting against Safin. In favor of Andy, Marat has been out of the circuit for quite some time with unsteady play and injury, having fallen to number 72, and Andy’s been playing the best tennis of his career over the past few months. The factors going against Andy are that these two will be facing off on clay, Andy’s least comfortable surface, and Marat had an “on” run at the US Open, taking out the number four seed David Nalbandian and then pushing Tommy Haas to five sets. What it all comes down to is who wants it more, and we know one of Andy’s lifelong dream is to bring home a Davis Cup title on his racquet.

Here are the stats on Marat Safin:
Birthdate: 27-Jan-80
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 6’4’’ (193 cm)
Weight: 195 lbs (88 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1997

As far as Team USA’s stats going into this weekend, they hold a 2-0 record over Russia, their first “W” was also their last title in Davis Cup in 1995. Go Team USA with this year’s strong team! Go for gold and three!