Kafelnikov the Russian sook by PAT RAFTER

YEVGENY Kafelnikov has acted pathetically with his comments over the Davis Cup match court and his refusal to give Wayne Arthurs any credit for winning on Friday.

Wayne was far too good for Kafelnikov, who was made to look very ordinary against someone who was playing his firstDavis Cup match.

For him not to say anything positive at all about Wayne is pathetic. He's being a big sook.  If you lose, then give some credit to the person who's beaten you.

For Kafelnikov to carry on like he did on Friday is a joke.   He paid the penalty for trying to serve-volley against Wayne, who he obviously under-estimated. Wayne played an amazing match, deserving to win.

The court, which Kafelnikov described as a potato field, is fine. It is no different to what you find at Wimbledon in the second week.

And the Australians had no problems dealing with it. Kafelnikov's comments are simply sour grapes.  He was beaten by a better player on the day and he's obviously annoyed at having seen Russia struggle on day one.

All of the guys – Wayne, Lleyton Hewitt, Mark Woodforde and Sandon Stolle – got to Brisbane earlier than usual and got themselves ready to play on grass.  The Russians had the same opportunity.

Kafelnikov predicted Russia would win the tie 3-1. He was wrong about that, too.  Wayne's performance in the circumstances was amazing.

In Davis Cup, you just never know how people are going to react. And they don't know, either – until they get out there and actually try to play. Some people fire, others freeze.

I remember looking at Wayne in the changerooms and wondering how he'd go. I needn't have worried.  He at least deserved a pat on the back from Kafelnikov and didn't get it.

The rest of the Australian team and the crowd certainly appreciated what a fantastic job he did.

LLEYTON was always going to have a tough match against Marat Safin but his win showed that he's very courageous and never gives in.