Mathieu Choke Puts Russia in Davis Cup Semifinal

Whenever you have a difficult day on the job, just tell yourself, "Well, at least I'm not Paul-Henri Mathieu."

For the second time in four years the Frenchman Mathieu choked away a fifth and deciding rubber against Russia, losing 6-0, 6-2, 6-1 to Igor Andreev after Nikolay Davydenko opened the day with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over top Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

"I think I proved today that I really am a Top 10 player, whether for myself in a tournament or in a team," said Davydenko after downing Gasquet.

After Andreev's win, former Russian President Boris Yeltsin joined an eight-man Russian conga line on-court in Moscow, including the Russian players and coach Shamil Tarpischev. Much drinking ensured.