Davydenko vows not to smash any more rackets

By Brian Homewood

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Russian Nikolay Davydenko said he would try and not to break any more rackets during his team's Davis Cup semi-final against Argentina.

Davydenko was knocked out in the fourth round of the U.S. Open by qualifier Gilles Muller two weeks ago when his rackets felt the full force of his frustration.

"I hope not to break any more rackets, I have only got a few left," said the world number five, aware that any public display of frustration in the Sept 19-21 tie could whip up the Argentine crowd.

In diplomatic mode, he added: "I like the way Argentina has organised this event and I hope I can play better than I did in New York."

Davydenko has had an unhappy time lately, falling in the first round in Wimbledon and then saying during the Olympic Games that he had lost his hunger for the game.

Davydenko's team mate Igor Andreev said he hoped that the experience of playing in Chile last year ago could help the visitors deal with the home crowd.

"I know the Argentina crowd is very lively and gives the home team a lot of help," he said. "The atmosphere is more like a football match than a tennis match."

"We played in Chile two years ago, we expect something similar here and we think it will help us."

(editing by Justin Palmer)