The last match of the 2006 season gave a worthy ending to an exciting year of tennis.

Russia played the final of the 2006 Davis Cup at home in Moscow in front of a home crowd - and gave their supporters a second title to follow the one they brought home in 2002 .

Argentina travelled all the way to freezing Moscow to try to surprise the Russians after beating favourites Australia in the semis. But it wasn't meant to be.

Even Diego Armando Maradona in the stands, with shirt, screams and all, couldn't make it happen this time.

Russian captain Shamil Tarpischev had a big task and responsibility on his hands. After two days of play, the tie was tied at 2-2 and he had to decide who would play the deciding match for his team. He had two options - to go for in-form Dimitry Turnosov or play experienced but erratic Marat Safin in front of a pressurising crowd.

Safin was always a big enigma. A wonderful and talented player, he can  "wake up" on the wrong side of things and smash more rackets than serves into the ground. On the other hand, when Safin "is on", God help his opponents!

Tarpischev made the right choice. Safin came out on the court inspired – by the crowd, by former president Boris Yeltsin and especially by the opportunity given to him to make something out of a bad year. He won in four sets and became, once again, a local hero.

But the big story of the tie isn't Safin alone. The story is about a country that is gradually shaping itself into a tennis empire.

On the women's side, it has already happened. About 10 Russian women tennis players are among the sport's elite - and have been for the last three years. The fact that the men might be following in their footsteps is very good news for a country that strives for sport excellence.

For years, Russia has had talented and decent male tennis players. Now, with Davis Cup success, there is no doubt that every Russian boy around, not only the girls, will gladly take on the sport. Masses of great tennis players are only a question of time.

One other interesting point is the fact that their two Davis Cup titles have come in an era when players are free human beings and sports people. They are free to play when and wherever they want and earn money for themselves and not for the country's bank account. This has undoubtedly changed their mentality. They can relate even more to their flag, their crowd and give, really, all they have in them.

That is exactly what happened over the weekend. Tarpischev's boys gave it all – and it paid off.