Tennis-Safin not confident of winning Davis Cup send-off

By Ori Lewis

HERZLIYA, Israel, July 9 (Reuters) - Russian Marat Safin said he did not rate his chances of lifting another Davis Cup trophy before he retires at the end of this year.

Russia face hosts Israel in the quarter-finals this weekend and victory would set up a tough semi-final against Germany or Spain.

"It's tough, we have a very difficult draw and I don't think it will happen this year but the hope is still there...after this year I'm done, it's enough," Safin told reporters on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Safin, a former world No. 1, has slipped to 60th in the world rankings. He will play in Saturday's doubles alongside Igor Kunitsyn.

Russia's singles players are world No. 24 Igor Andreev and Mikhail Youzhny (69), while the hosts will be led by world No. 33 Dudi Sela, who reached the last 16 at Wimbledon last month.

Veteran Harel Levy (210) will be Israel's second singles player and regular duo Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich will line up for Saturday's doubles.

"We are playing in Israel, Dudi Sela is playing really well and they have a very good doubles pair so it is going to be really tough and the first day will be very important," Safin said.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)