Davydenko crushes Hrbaty to take Paris Masters title
By JEROME PUGMIRE, AP Sports Writer
November 5, 2006
PARIS (AP) -- Nikolay Davydenko routed Dominik Hrbaty 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 Sunday to win the Paris Masters for his fifth title of the season.
The fourth-seeded Russian dropped only one set in the tournament -- to Tommy Robredo in the semifinals -- in winning his 10th career title.
"It's amazing to win my first Masters title here in Paris. I played very well, with good control," Davydenko said. "Hrbaty's service was not so good today -- it was easy to break him every time."
Davydenko's ability to hit both sides of the court from the baseline with accuracy and power overwhelmed Hrbaty from the start.
The first set took only 21 minutes with Davydenko winning 92 percent of points on first serve and 80 percent on second serve.
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"I don't think I've played against a guy who played a better match than he did," Hrbaty said. "I didn't have any chances. It would be tough even for (Roger) Federer to beat him when he plays like this."
Hrbaty saved two second-set points at 5-1 down to bring sympathetic cheers from the crowd at the Bercy indoor arena. He had a glimmer of hope in the sixth game of the third set, but Davydenko saved two breakpoints and held to take a 4-2 lead.
Davydenko then broke and served out the match. He kissed his necklace before throwing a sweatband into the crowd as he improved to 4-1 against the Slovakian.
"He just played so fast, I was always one step behind," Hrbaty said. "Even if I tried to move him, he was always in the right place."
Davydenko has won 67 matches this season, second to Roger Federer's 87. He also won titles at Poertschach, Austria; Sopot, Poland; New Haven; and Moscow.
He did not drop a set at Poertschach or New Haven and only lost one in the Moscow final to two-time Grand Slam champion Marat Safin.
It was the second time the 17th-seeded Slovakian had lost a Masters final. He lost to Cedric Pioline at Monte Carlo in 2000.
Davydenko, Federer, Rafael Nadal, Ivan Ljubicic, Andy Roddick, Tommy Robredo, David Nalbandian and James Blake will now play in the Nov. 12-19 Masters Cup in Shanghai.
Updated on Sunday, Nov 5, 2006 11:52 am EST
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ap-parismasters&prov=ap&type=lgns
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Davydenko crushes Hrbaty to win Paris Masters
Davydenko crushes Hrbaty to win Paris Masters
November 5, 2006
PARIS (Ticker) - Nikolay Davydenko will be making the trip to Shanghai on a high note.
The fourth seed from Russia, Davydenko claimed his first Masters Series title with an emphatic 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory over No. 17 Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia in the final of the BNP Paribas Masters on Sunday.
Having arrived in the French capital already assured of a place in the Masters Cup, Davydenko will travel to Shanghai in two weeks quite confident after another dominant display that was typical of his week.
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"The win gives me a lot of confidence for Shanghai, where last year I made the semifinals," Davydenko said. "It's very important to go into Masters Cup winning matches and I'll try to play my best there."
In his opening match, which was away from the television cameras despite being the only player ranked among the top six in the draw, Davydenko did not drop a game in drubbing Christophe Rochus.
The Russian also dismissed Dmitry Tursunov and Mario Ancic in straight sets in subsequent rounds and, although Tommy Robredo took a set off him in the semifinals, Davydenko was in top form against Hrbaty.
In their previous meeting at the Australian Open, Hrbaty claimed the first two sets before losing in five. This time, Davydenko took control early and never appeared to relinquishing it.
After an almost immaculate first set that left Hrbaty floundering after 21 minutes, Davydenko continued his relentless attack, pushing his opponent way behind the baseline with a barrage of accurate groundstrokes.
"With the style that he's playing from the baseline, I don't think I've played against a guy who played a better match like he did today," Hrbaty said. "Basically, I didn't have any chances. Everything was so quick, and he played so fast, that I was just one step always behind the shot."
Reeling from that onslaught, Hrbaty was broken twice in dropping the first four games of the second set. Although the Slovakian did manage to close within 2-5, Davydenko delivered another hugely impressive service game to close the set.
The Parisian crowd, eager for a contest, kept trying to lift Hrbaty's spirits but he was just totally outplayed in all departments.
After breaking in the fifth game of the third set, Davydenko did face four break points in the next game but fought them all off before later capturing his fifth title of the year on his second championship point with another laser-like forehand.
Completing the match in one hour and 38 minutes, Davydenko finished with seven breaks, fired seven aces and held a commanding 31-11 lead in total winners.
Improving to 67-26 this season, Davydenko became the fourth player to win five tournaments this season, tying Spaniard Rafael Nadal and American James Blake. World No. 1 and favorite in Shanghai, Roger Federer has 11 titles this season.
"It feels amazing," Davydenko said. "Making a semifinal or final is okay, but nobody really cares. But if you win the title, the first Masters Series title of your career, that's completely different. Winning the first Masters title at the end of the year is very important for me."
Updated on Sunday, Nov 5, 2006 2:11 pm EST
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=paristennis&prov=st&type=lgns
November 5, 2006
PARIS (Ticker) - Nikolay Davydenko will be making the trip to Shanghai on a high note.
The fourth seed from Russia, Davydenko claimed his first Masters Series title with an emphatic 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory over No. 17 Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia in the final of the BNP Paribas Masters on Sunday.
Having arrived in the French capital already assured of a place in the Masters Cup, Davydenko will travel to Shanghai in two weeks quite confident after another dominant display that was typical of his week.
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"The win gives me a lot of confidence for Shanghai, where last year I made the semifinals," Davydenko said. "It's very important to go into Masters Cup winning matches and I'll try to play my best there."
In his opening match, which was away from the television cameras despite being the only player ranked among the top six in the draw, Davydenko did not drop a game in drubbing Christophe Rochus.
The Russian also dismissed Dmitry Tursunov and Mario Ancic in straight sets in subsequent rounds and, although Tommy Robredo took a set off him in the semifinals, Davydenko was in top form against Hrbaty.
In their previous meeting at the Australian Open, Hrbaty claimed the first two sets before losing in five. This time, Davydenko took control early and never appeared to relinquishing it.
After an almost immaculate first set that left Hrbaty floundering after 21 minutes, Davydenko continued his relentless attack, pushing his opponent way behind the baseline with a barrage of accurate groundstrokes.
"With the style that he's playing from the baseline, I don't think I've played against a guy who played a better match like he did today," Hrbaty said. "Basically, I didn't have any chances. Everything was so quick, and he played so fast, that I was just one step always behind the shot."
Reeling from that onslaught, Hrbaty was broken twice in dropping the first four games of the second set. Although the Slovakian did manage to close within 2-5, Davydenko delivered another hugely impressive service game to close the set.
The Parisian crowd, eager for a contest, kept trying to lift Hrbaty's spirits but he was just totally outplayed in all departments.
After breaking in the fifth game of the third set, Davydenko did face four break points in the next game but fought them all off before later capturing his fifth title of the year on his second championship point with another laser-like forehand.
Completing the match in one hour and 38 minutes, Davydenko finished with seven breaks, fired seven aces and held a commanding 31-11 lead in total winners.
Improving to 67-26 this season, Davydenko became the fourth player to win five tournaments this season, tying Spaniard Rafael Nadal and American James Blake. World No. 1 and favorite in Shanghai, Roger Federer has 11 titles this season.
"It feels amazing," Davydenko said. "Making a semifinal or final is okay, but nobody really cares. But if you win the title, the first Masters Series title of your career, that's completely different. Winning the first Masters title at the end of the year is very important for me."
Updated on Sunday, Nov 5, 2006 2:11 pm EST
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=paristennis&prov=st&type=lgns
Thursday, November 02, 2006
St Petersburg Open - Day 3
St Petersburg Open - Day 3
So, I think that you are interesting what happened on Wednesday. Well, let’s start from the beginning. Nikolay was scheduled to play fourth on the centre court. And before his match he practiced with Tursunov. It was really funny. Nikolay and Dmitry were in a good mood. They joked a lot with each other. They had fun and enjoyed themselves. You can see it on photos. And about 3 hours later everything changed and things didn’t seem so funny, Nikolay had to retire because of foot injury. :(
Unfortunately, I don’t have picts of the match itself. But on the official site of St.Petersburg Open is a picture of Nikolay with his bandaged heel.
On the press conference Nikolay explained what had happened: "I hurt my right foot in the seventh game of the first set when I ran for a short ball. I just felt a huge pain in my foot. I don't think it was my ankle, it was more like my heel. I called a trainer after the next changeover to tape my foot. I won the first set but in the second I felt more pain and had trouble moving around the court. I probably could have continued but I wasn't sure how I would feel tomorrow and I just didn't want to take any chances with a Masters tournament in Paris coming up next week and the Masters Cup in Shanghai to follow." And also Nikolay said that the surface Gerflor, that was used on St.Petersburg Open wasn’t perfect and there was a high probability to get an injury on it.
I was greatly surprised when my friend told me that she saw Davydenko on Thursday. He came there for an autograph session. Nikolay stayed only for about 10 or 15 minutes. He signed only a couple of photos and magazines and left. That was strange, because he usually signed a lot of autographs and never minded to take a photo with his fans. But not this time. May be he was just tired or in a bad mood. Hope that he will be ok soon.
Nikolay, good luck next time!!!
Best regards,
Irisha.
So, I think that you are interesting what happened on Wednesday. Well, let’s start from the beginning. Nikolay was scheduled to play fourth on the centre court. And before his match he practiced with Tursunov. It was really funny. Nikolay and Dmitry were in a good mood. They joked a lot with each other. They had fun and enjoyed themselves. You can see it on photos. And about 3 hours later everything changed and things didn’t seem so funny, Nikolay had to retire because of foot injury. :(
Unfortunately, I don’t have picts of the match itself. But on the official site of St.Petersburg Open is a picture of Nikolay with his bandaged heel.
On the press conference Nikolay explained what had happened: "I hurt my right foot in the seventh game of the first set when I ran for a short ball. I just felt a huge pain in my foot. I don't think it was my ankle, it was more like my heel. I called a trainer after the next changeover to tape my foot. I won the first set but in the second I felt more pain and had trouble moving around the court. I probably could have continued but I wasn't sure how I would feel tomorrow and I just didn't want to take any chances with a Masters tournament in Paris coming up next week and the Masters Cup in Shanghai to follow." And also Nikolay said that the surface Gerflor, that was used on St.Petersburg Open wasn’t perfect and there was a high probability to get an injury on it.
I was greatly surprised when my friend told me that she saw Davydenko on Thursday. He came there for an autograph session. Nikolay stayed only for about 10 or 15 minutes. He signed only a couple of photos and magazines and left. That was strange, because he usually signed a lot of autographs and never minded to take a photo with his fans. But not this time. May be he was just tired or in a bad mood. Hope that he will be ok soon.
Nikolay, good luck next time!!!
Best regards,
Irisha.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Irina at St. Petersburg 2006!
Day One
As you know on Monday starts St.Petersburg Open and Nikolay are going to play there. Today has began the qualification. And after the matches players from the main draw practiced there. Unfortunately, when I came to the courts Nikolay had just finished his practice and was leaving.
Day Two:
This is my second letter dedicated to St.Petersburg Open. Today has been the second day of qualification and the second day of practice for the main draw’s players. This time I haven’t missed Nikolay’s practice.
Nikolay practiced on the centre court with Youzhny, Kunitsyn and a player, whom I didn’t know. It was funny because Youzhny and Kunitsyn occupied player’s chairs and Nikolay and that guy had to sit on linesmen chairs. ) You can see it on one of the photos. They practiced for about an hour. Nikolay was great! Well, as usual :))). Hope, hi’ll do well during this week.
Unfortunately, because of my work, next time when I will be able to go to StPOpen, will be on Wednesday (((. Hope, I’ll be lucky to see Nikolay playing on that day.
Irina S.
As you know on Monday starts St.Petersburg Open and Nikolay are going to play there. Today has began the qualification. And after the matches players from the main draw practiced there. Unfortunately, when I came to the courts Nikolay had just finished his practice and was leaving.
Day Two:
This is my second letter dedicated to St.Petersburg Open. Today has been the second day of qualification and the second day of practice for the main draw’s players. This time I haven’t missed Nikolay’s practice.
Nikolay practiced on the centre court with Youzhny, Kunitsyn and a player, whom I didn’t know. It was funny because Youzhny and Kunitsyn occupied player’s chairs and Nikolay and that guy had to sit on linesmen chairs. ) You can see it on one of the photos. They practiced for about an hour. Nikolay was great! Well, as usual :))). Hope, hi’ll do well during this week.
Unfortunately, because of my work, next time when I will be able to go to StPOpen, will be on Wednesday (((. Hope, I’ll be lucky to see Nikolay playing on that day.
Irina S.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Sep 13 media note with Davydenko
Sep 13 media note with Davydenko
2006年09月13日15:56
Q: Do you think Roger Federer and Nadal got too much attention? And do you think that’s the reason you haven’t got that many sponsors?
A: I think if I were an American, I may have got more sponsors. And it’s natural that sponsors put their attention on players with high rankings.
Q: You play many tournaments. Some are won, and some are lost. How do you adjust after you lose in one tournament?
A: I have played 26 tournaments this year, and ten of them are not good. But I made top ten and achieved good result. If I were out in the first round in one tournament, that also means that you have more time to prepare for the next one. That’s why I don’t hate to play with Federer in the first round.
Q: You are going to play Davis Cup next week against the US. They got good players like Roddick and Blake. What do you and your partner Safin think about the strong competition?
A: We will play Davis Cup in Moscow on clay court. But our opponent isn’t that good on clay. Safin does play well on clay. So I think we have the opportunity to win in our country. Of course, there is pressure to play in front of my countrymen and it will be a tough game. But I don’t care.
Q: what is your target this season?
A: I did well in the US Open, and that’s the reason that I have the opportunity to go to Shanghai for the Masters’ Cup. I’m now the top ten player, but I still got two tournaments this year, including Shanghai. If I can keep doing well, I think I can reach top right.
(责任编辑：dudu)
http://www.chinaopen.cn/20060913/n245323182.shtml
2006年09月13日15:56
Q: Do you think Roger Federer and Nadal got too much attention? And do you think that’s the reason you haven’t got that many sponsors?
A: I think if I were an American, I may have got more sponsors. And it’s natural that sponsors put their attention on players with high rankings.
Q: You play many tournaments. Some are won, and some are lost. How do you adjust after you lose in one tournament?
A: I have played 26 tournaments this year, and ten of them are not good. But I made top ten and achieved good result. If I were out in the first round in one tournament, that also means that you have more time to prepare for the next one. That’s why I don’t hate to play with Federer in the first round.
Q: You are going to play Davis Cup next week against the US. They got good players like Roddick and Blake. What do you and your partner Safin think about the strong competition?
A: We will play Davis Cup in Moscow on clay court. But our opponent isn’t that good on clay. Safin does play well on clay. So I think we have the opportunity to win in our country. Of course, there is pressure to play in front of my countrymen and it will be a tough game. But I don’t care.
Q: what is your target this season?
A: I did well in the US Open, and that’s the reason that I have the opportunity to go to Shanghai for the Masters’ Cup. I’m now the top ten player, but I still got two tournaments this year, including Shanghai. If I can keep doing well, I think I can reach top right.
(责任编辑：dudu)
http://www.chinaopen.cn/20060913/n245323182.shtml
Saturday, September 09, 2006
An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO 9/9/2006
An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. At what point did you see the match start to slip away? It was a tough match in general. What's it going to take to beat this guy?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, it's tough to say something for today. I was surprising, because if I play quarterfinal, was little bit different tennis. It was too slow 'cause I have movement okay, you know. Like I can, like, play normal control ball. That's was today completely different tennis. He try to play fast and just play for forehand. Play very fast to the right and left. That's was for me difficult to running for this ball.
I was surprising he play backhand better. Because I play against in Australian, I just control from to the backhand and he was play little bit more slowly.
Maybe it's, okay, completely different tournaments. But was today for me was too fast. He play very fast. From slicing, ball was playing very fast. That's why I think I did so many mistake, by control. I can't control this ball really good. That's was I think it was so many mistake from my side.
Q. How did you feel after your quarterfinal? I mean, you had a tough one against Haas. Physically, were you okay?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Physically, yeah. Physically, I feeling okay. But few points I was running, try to fight. I feeling it was really tough, because movement was different. Just only one point, I was running very fast, and then I feeling I can't running every point like this.
He try hitting balls to the line, you know, make very good topspin from backhand and forehand. That was both fly fast and high. This was very tough to control from baseline, also.
He manage good also returning from slicing. Also I did so many mistake from slice, that's was from.
I would say it's really different tennis. He's No. 1. That's why I think he winning everything, because he play completely different.
Q. Is it the first time you have this feeling, it's too fast for you?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Against Federer, yeah. He was too fast. Because in Australia, was little bit slow. I played mainly from baseline points. That's was I had control from baseline.
Just I can't I just feeling I can't moving good and play to forehand and to backhand. Today was short, short points. He try to hit fast and short. That was tough.
Q. You played a lot of tennis. Are you going to take any time off? Is that just not your style?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Maybe I have few days now before Beijing, before I need play there (smiling).
But, yeah, after this, I have two weeks off. I have last four tournaments in indoor. If I play well, I try to come into Shanghai. That's most important tournament, Masters in Madrid and Paris. That was, okay, we prepare for Davis Cup. We try to win against America, why not, on clay court.
But, you know, I'm happy to be here in semifinal. Okay, like was okay, you feeling all the time should be better and better. That's was yeah, you never know, you know, what's happening in semifinal. Was bad luck, yeah? I would say bad luck in semifinal.
Q. If you had to focus on just certain things that make Roger Federer such a fabulous tennis player, could you tell us briefly what those things are? What would they be?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, how you say, Federer was play, you know get good serve, good volley, and play very well from baseline. That's was like from beginning today, from first set, I try to just just try make control from baseline. From beginning, from my serve, I say, "Okay, I make only topspin first serve and not so fast and just play from baseline." He was returning good and play very good from baseline forehand, backhand. That's also was surprising. He did no mistake. Just played backhand well. Very good for cross. Then forehand anyway is good.
And play very fast, and stay in the line from baseline, and play, you know. If you play fast, he play more faster. That's was I try to mix, but it was not enough.
Q. Does he have any weaknesses?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Right now, no (smiling).
Q. Could you give us your thoughts on Davis Cup. Is the Russian team going into that tie with a lot of confidence at home, on clay?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You say confidence, we also scared to play at home on clay in Moscow. Too much people, try to pressure to win for us in semifinal. Is not so easy for us also.
I think we get good, yeah, team. We don't know now yet who is playing, you know. But we have four good players. Youzhny is still in semis now, yeah? Safin play better and better. Tursunov, he play very well in Roland Garros, yeah? That's was try to win, because at home is important.
Q. Since it's so scary to play at home, would you consider playing here in America?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: In America, different surface, yeah? Different, you know, fun.
But, yeah, here, not so much pressure for us because is like priority for the American and, you know, favorite American. But we are now favorite at home. That's was little bit pressure for us.
Q. It's not possible now, now that you have played and lost, but before your match there was a possibility that we could have an all Russian men's final in this tournament. How realistic would it have been to think that two Russians could make it to the final, you and Youzhny?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Uhm, I am already not in final. But still Youzhny play semis here today against Roddick. You never know what's happen, you know?
But was, yeah, normally, like say, everybody waiting for Roddick in final against Federer. Nobody want to wait, final be Youzhny Davydenko at US Open (smiling). That's why we try to come better play here. For the fans American, should be Roddick play against Federer, it's okay.
Q. Are you really disappointed to lose today, or are you saying to yourself, This guy was unbeatable today?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I was disappointed for my game. Not like I was losing match. I play not so great. Not like somehow I want to play or something how I like to play. That's was disappointing from my side. I was feeling something not so perfect from my side, how I want to prove my game against Federer. That's was for today, I didn't prove. You know, now I need try again, play against.
Q. He's such a good player. Everybody's saying how great he is. Obviously, he's a nice guy in the locker room. Does it make it any easier to lose to him because he's all these things?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: (Smiling). I think in locker rooms, everybody nice and easy, you know. But if I am on the court, he's already consideration to kill you on the court. That's why it's completely different. In life, tennis player, everybody is nice. It's not like somebody want to kill already in locker room. But everybody talk. It's everything, yeah, normal. But in the court, is, yeah, is tennis, is sport.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. At what point did you see the match start to slip away? It was a tough match in general. What's it going to take to beat this guy?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, it's tough to say something for today. I was surprising, because if I play quarterfinal, was little bit different tennis. It was too slow 'cause I have movement okay, you know. Like I can, like, play normal control ball. That's was today completely different tennis. He try to play fast and just play for forehand. Play very fast to the right and left. That's was for me difficult to running for this ball.
I was surprising he play backhand better. Because I play against in Australian, I just control from to the backhand and he was play little bit more slowly.
Maybe it's, okay, completely different tournaments. But was today for me was too fast. He play very fast. From slicing, ball was playing very fast. That's why I think I did so many mistake, by control. I can't control this ball really good. That's was I think it was so many mistake from my side.
Q. How did you feel after your quarterfinal? I mean, you had a tough one against Haas. Physically, were you okay?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Physically, yeah. Physically, I feeling okay. But few points I was running, try to fight. I feeling it was really tough, because movement was different. Just only one point, I was running very fast, and then I feeling I can't running every point like this.
He try hitting balls to the line, you know, make very good topspin from backhand and forehand. That was both fly fast and high. This was very tough to control from baseline, also.
He manage good also returning from slicing. Also I did so many mistake from slice, that's was from.
I would say it's really different tennis. He's No. 1. That's why I think he winning everything, because he play completely different.
Q. Is it the first time you have this feeling, it's too fast for you?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Against Federer, yeah. He was too fast. Because in Australia, was little bit slow. I played mainly from baseline points. That's was I had control from baseline.
Just I can't I just feeling I can't moving good and play to forehand and to backhand. Today was short, short points. He try to hit fast and short. That was tough.
Q. You played a lot of tennis. Are you going to take any time off? Is that just not your style?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Maybe I have few days now before Beijing, before I need play there (smiling).
But, yeah, after this, I have two weeks off. I have last four tournaments in indoor. If I play well, I try to come into Shanghai. That's most important tournament, Masters in Madrid and Paris. That was, okay, we prepare for Davis Cup. We try to win against America, why not, on clay court.
But, you know, I'm happy to be here in semifinal. Okay, like was okay, you feeling all the time should be better and better. That's was yeah, you never know, you know, what's happening in semifinal. Was bad luck, yeah? I would say bad luck in semifinal.
Q. If you had to focus on just certain things that make Roger Federer such a fabulous tennis player, could you tell us briefly what those things are? What would they be?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, how you say, Federer was play, you know get good serve, good volley, and play very well from baseline. That's was like from beginning today, from first set, I try to just just try make control from baseline. From beginning, from my serve, I say, "Okay, I make only topspin first serve and not so fast and just play from baseline." He was returning good and play very good from baseline forehand, backhand. That's also was surprising. He did no mistake. Just played backhand well. Very good for cross. Then forehand anyway is good.
And play very fast, and stay in the line from baseline, and play, you know. If you play fast, he play more faster. That's was I try to mix, but it was not enough.
Q. Does he have any weaknesses?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Right now, no (smiling).
Q. Could you give us your thoughts on Davis Cup. Is the Russian team going into that tie with a lot of confidence at home, on clay?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You say confidence, we also scared to play at home on clay in Moscow. Too much people, try to pressure to win for us in semifinal. Is not so easy for us also.
I think we get good, yeah, team. We don't know now yet who is playing, you know. But we have four good players. Youzhny is still in semis now, yeah? Safin play better and better. Tursunov, he play very well in Roland Garros, yeah? That's was try to win, because at home is important.
Q. Since it's so scary to play at home, would you consider playing here in America?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: In America, different surface, yeah? Different, you know, fun.
But, yeah, here, not so much pressure for us because is like priority for the American and, you know, favorite American. But we are now favorite at home. That's was little bit pressure for us.
Q. It's not possible now, now that you have played and lost, but before your match there was a possibility that we could have an all Russian men's final in this tournament. How realistic would it have been to think that two Russians could make it to the final, you and Youzhny?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Uhm, I am already not in final. But still Youzhny play semis here today against Roddick. You never know what's happen, you know?
But was, yeah, normally, like say, everybody waiting for Roddick in final against Federer. Nobody want to wait, final be Youzhny Davydenko at US Open (smiling). That's why we try to come better play here. For the fans American, should be Roddick play against Federer, it's okay.
Q. Are you really disappointed to lose today, or are you saying to yourself, This guy was unbeatable today?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I was disappointed for my game. Not like I was losing match. I play not so great. Not like somehow I want to play or something how I like to play. That's was disappointing from my side. I was feeling something not so perfect from my side, how I want to prove my game against Federer. That's was for today, I didn't prove. You know, now I need try again, play against.
Q. He's such a good player. Everybody's saying how great he is. Obviously, he's a nice guy in the locker room. Does it make it any easier to lose to him because he's all these things?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: (Smiling). I think in locker rooms, everybody nice and easy, you know. But if I am on the court, he's already consideration to kill you on the court. That's why it's completely different. In life, tennis player, everybody is nice. It's not like somebody want to kill already in locker room. But everybody talk. It's everything, yeah, normal. But in the court, is, yeah, is tennis, is sport.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
Nikolay Davydenko: Almost Famous
Nikolay Davydenko: Almost Famous
by Neil Schlecht
Posted Date: Friday, September 8, 2006
If Mikhail Youzhny is the great unknown of the men’s semifinals at the 2006 US Open, his compatriot Nikolay Davydenko is only slightly more celebrated, despite his top-10 ranking.
Some players impress onlookers as superb athletes, even before they strike a ball. Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Marat Safin have imposing, quintessentially athletic frames. Roger Federer and James Blake are svelte and sleek, like thoroughbreds; just walking on court, they look fluid and fleet of foot.
Nikolay Davydenko is none of these things. With his hollowed cheeks and wispy strands of blonde hair, he's low-key and an unlikely-looking semifinalist.
At 5-foot-11 and 152 pounds, Davydenko is pretty average, if slight. He takes the court in drab, monochromatic outfits of white, black or gray. Though No. 6 in the world, he has no official clothing sponsor. The only thing notable about him on court is that he is not festooned with logos.
Born in Ukraine and reared in Russia and Germany, Davydenko is now a resident of Monte Carlo, where it’s difficult to imagine him hanging out beachside with the gliteratti.
Davydenko’s game is only slightly less unprepossessing than his physical package. After losing to him in an excruciating 3-hour-and-45-minute five-setter in yesterday’s quarterfinal, Tommy Haas said the Russian was “like a machine, a ball machine.” Extremely solid but with no real weapons—no big forehand, no penetrating serve, no lightning speed—Davydenko merely gets everything back and forces his opponents to beat themselves. Which they do. Playing Savvy Davy must be maddening, if not soporific.
Davydenko has transformed a youthful pusher’s game into one that wins on the pro tour. “Was all time I was young, I was playing everything, fighting, you know, play from baseline, try to do something,” said Davydenko. “But I was skinny. I still I think skinny, you know.”
“Got to give it up,” said Haas. “It’s tough to beat him.”
Mostly, Davydenko plays and plays like there’s no tomorrow. A true tour workhorse, he plays more matches and tournaments than anyone else (28 so far this year, 33 last, counting Davis Cup), continent-hopping from event to event, playing nearly every week and racking up rankings points. “I get rest few days, play next tournament,” explained Davydenko.
That workaholic schedule landed him a year-end No. 5 ranking in 2005, though Davydenko has only once previously reached a Grand Slam semi, at Roland Garros in 2004.
Davydenko has won six career titles, including the Pilot Pen event before coming to Flushing. “For me, last week, New Haven, winning, already coming to US Open semis. I think, in New York, I am already famous.”
Famous or not, Davydenko’s game plan remains endearingly simple, if not always fun to watch. “I winning from baseline these points. Winning game. Then winning set.”
Unfortunately for the human backboard, Davydenko now runs into a totally different kind of wall in the next round. He plays King Federer.
Davydenko extended Federer to four sets, including two tiebreaks, at the Australian Open earlier this year. Though few are giving him a shot at dethroning the champion, Davydenko is undeterred. “You need to think you can beat him. He's No. 1, yeah, that's (…) important only in head.”
by Neil Schlecht
Posted Date: Friday, September 8, 2006
If Mikhail Youzhny is the great unknown of the men’s semifinals at the 2006 US Open, his compatriot Nikolay Davydenko is only slightly more celebrated, despite his top-10 ranking.
Some players impress onlookers as superb athletes, even before they strike a ball. Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Marat Safin have imposing, quintessentially athletic frames. Roger Federer and James Blake are svelte and sleek, like thoroughbreds; just walking on court, they look fluid and fleet of foot.
Nikolay Davydenko is none of these things. With his hollowed cheeks and wispy strands of blonde hair, he's low-key and an unlikely-looking semifinalist.
At 5-foot-11 and 152 pounds, Davydenko is pretty average, if slight. He takes the court in drab, monochromatic outfits of white, black or gray. Though No. 6 in the world, he has no official clothing sponsor. The only thing notable about him on court is that he is not festooned with logos.
Born in Ukraine and reared in Russia and Germany, Davydenko is now a resident of Monte Carlo, where it’s difficult to imagine him hanging out beachside with the gliteratti.
Davydenko’s game is only slightly less unprepossessing than his physical package. After losing to him in an excruciating 3-hour-and-45-minute five-setter in yesterday’s quarterfinal, Tommy Haas said the Russian was “like a machine, a ball machine.” Extremely solid but with no real weapons—no big forehand, no penetrating serve, no lightning speed—Davydenko merely gets everything back and forces his opponents to beat themselves. Which they do. Playing Savvy Davy must be maddening, if not soporific.
Davydenko has transformed a youthful pusher’s game into one that wins on the pro tour. “Was all time I was young, I was playing everything, fighting, you know, play from baseline, try to do something,” said Davydenko. “But I was skinny. I still I think skinny, you know.”
“Got to give it up,” said Haas. “It’s tough to beat him.”
Mostly, Davydenko plays and plays like there’s no tomorrow. A true tour workhorse, he plays more matches and tournaments than anyone else (28 so far this year, 33 last, counting Davis Cup), continent-hopping from event to event, playing nearly every week and racking up rankings points. “I get rest few days, play next tournament,” explained Davydenko.
That workaholic schedule landed him a year-end No. 5 ranking in 2005, though Davydenko has only once previously reached a Grand Slam semi, at Roland Garros in 2004.
Davydenko has won six career titles, including the Pilot Pen event before coming to Flushing. “For me, last week, New Haven, winning, already coming to US Open semis. I think, in New York, I am already famous.”
Famous or not, Davydenko’s game plan remains endearingly simple, if not always fun to watch. “I winning from baseline these points. Winning game. Then winning set.”
Unfortunately for the human backboard, Davydenko now runs into a totally different kind of wall in the next round. He plays King Federer.
Davydenko extended Federer to four sets, including two tiebreaks, at the Australian Open earlier this year. Though few are giving him a shot at dethroning the champion, Davydenko is undeterred. “You need to think you can beat him. He's No. 1, yeah, that's (…) important only in head.”
Friday, September 08, 2006
An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO 7/9/2006
An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. How meaningful is this victory? You were down two sets and you came back and fought so very, very hard. How meaningful is this victory to you?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't think about anything. I think I can lose in three sets. Because Haas play well, great serve, I have not a chance to break him before. That was 6 4, 7 6. He just service, easy, you know, was for me. And every time in the third set was tough for my serve. I play so many from baseline. I try to fight. Come back. That's was I get all the time pression.
Then was only one break. That's it. I win in third set. I was surprising myself because he didn't make first serve, or only one return, and then that's it. He make from second serve, and I returning, I winning from baseline these points. Winning game. Then winning set.
And then is the same was in the fourth set.
But, you know, it's how you say? maybe it's a lucky day, because I, beginning from first and second set, play not so good. Like against Murray, I play better. That's was maybe 'cause weather was different. Was sun. Was balls fast. Spring higher.
Was a little bit tough for me today because Haas yesterday play of center court also. For him, was already five sets he play against Safin and was feeling good center court. That was for him, I think, should be kind of win in three sets. That was surprising.
Q. He called you a ball machine. What do you call Tommy? How would you describe his game?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, I didn't call nobody, you know, for the players. Sometimes guys surprising me, and if I play against this guy, you know, if some I know this player because I play against him before. Like he was playing very great from baseline. Because normally, like how I play from baseline, I try to play well. That was my important thing in the game, just hitting balls and good control, and do no mistake.
Haas play very well from forehand, and it was tough for me first to assess slice for him. I did so many mistake. That's why he won in break and he won games.
But then play better and better from my side.
But I don't know how say. Haas, five sets, killer, huh? For guys he play before. He beat Safin 7 6 in the fifth. That was I thinking about now five sets against me. He can, you know, try to come back, already at 5 2. But it was lucky, I think, by 5 4 I win my serve.
Q. Did you talk to Marat before the match at all about Tommy?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, no.
Q. Do you guys talk in general? Do the Russians kind of hang around?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: In Davis Cup.
Q. What?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: In Davis Cup.
Q. In Davis Cup?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. If we practicing together. It goes like hitting five minutes, go drinking, you know, water (smiling).
Q. This is an incredible accomplishment for you, but to the American public, we don't know that much about Nikolay Davydenko.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Is good for me (smiling).
Q. What are the special things about you as a man that have led to this accomplishment and made him special?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I think it's important how you say? Russian, is tough to say. Only one thing, if I say like I living in America, or I have residence America, maybe can be, should be completely different, you know. But I don't live, not yet. That's was still Russian, yeah, that's why for American is not important Russian players.
Because Sharapova say, she's Russian, but, yeah, she live in America; she's famous in America, because she was young, she's coming here in America. Every time is talking about she's American, yeah? Passport, just passport Russian, but she's American already.
That's was like I would say for US Open. It's important I think American player most. Just I see on TV everything was because like Roddick, Blake. I think it's important for the men's was here.
I didn't see so much Federer on TV. You know, he played of grandstand. He is No. 1. He is the favorite here. He won US Open. But is not so much famous here also. That's was from my side, I am go zero. That's was okay. Maybe I little bit like more in Europe more famous because I play good there.
Yeah, if I keep good result in America, if I play more tournaments, Miami, Indian Wells, playing better and better, maybe I should be famous already in America. Like for me, last week, New Haven, winning, already coming to US Open semis. I think, in New York, I am already famous.
Q. You make a good point. Still, my question, to reach this far into the tournament is extraordinary. What are the qualities that you have that have brought you here that make you special as a person?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Uhm, I don't know how I say. Maybe I need to win Grand Slam. That's was to be famous most.
Because Safin was No. 1. He won Grand Slam. He won US Open. He won Australia Open. That was coming from famous. I don't so like who care about, you know, Davydenko. Doesn't matter top 10. But he didn't win Grand Slam. I was not like No. 1, you know. Is not like I don't think about, like, some management make promotion and make something famous guy, because I don't think is so perfect. You need to do something in the tour. You need to win tournament, or you need to be No. 1 to be famous. Doesn't matter where.
Q. How does this performance rate in your career?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, now, like I would say was important to me still top 10 player in this year, yeah? Because I was finish 5 last year. Was great. I make semifinal.
Already, I finish already top 10 in this year. That's was maybe I can reach to the Masters in Shanghai. It's also important for the second year.
Q. You are an extremely consistent player, especially ground strokes and high pressure situations. How did you develop that skill? Is that something you always had from childhood, that focus, or is that something you had to really learn as you were maturing as a player?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Uhm, I think it's was all time I was young, I was playing everything, fighting, you know, play from baseline, try to do something. But I was skinny. I still I think skinny, you know.
But already I am moving better. Like moving in the court is important. Like I running good. Good control from baseline. It's from my side, it's very important. Not to be tired. Not to get some cramping in the five sets. It's I was surprising. I was play three hours, and I was feeling okay.
Q. Yesterday against Andy Murray you showed such zippiness, aliveness, really good placement of shots. Today we didn't see quite that same kind of figure. What was it about Tommy Haas that curtailed that?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Uhm, you ask about match, different match about Murray and Haas?
Maybe Murray play for me, it was better because he hitting faster and I was playing faster back. Haas was I think it was different weather. Because was sun and ball was little bit faster and higher, spring higher from hard court and center court. That's was he make a little bit more topspin, Haas, and was tough to control this ball from baseline. Very good slice from backhand, was very fast. That's why I do so many mistake. I was surprising myself from way I can't first two sets, I can't do anything. I was so many mistake. Can't do anything for control.
But then it's was maybe I lose so much power in first two sets, because I try to concentration more and more. Like do some mistake, and concentration more, because why I did? That's was but against Murray, I play good, you know. Like from baseline, I feeling more better.
Q. Nikolay, many American fans may not know your game. You have been remarkable in the Grand Slams this year. You've been to two quarterfinals in Australia. You took a set from Roger. You took him to two tiebreaks in the third and fourth sets, played him very, very tough. How will that help you if the very likely possibility will occur that you will play him next? How will you use that to help you in your strength, in your mind?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, it's like everybody ask, How you can play against Federer. Like, physically, why Nadal beat Federer. I think because he fighting every point. He running every point. Because Federer try to make winners, and Nadal play back. That's why he running, try to good control and still, you know, in position.
That's why I play in Australia against Federer. It was tough match, yeah? But I lose, yeah, I lose in the third and fourth sets tiebreaks. I have so many set points. I think is, you know, every year you get in the mind something thinking about, Why I losing, you know. Maybe is in the future you already better and better.
Maybe if you have set point, you do something different. You learn something. Try to make winners. You just keep it's like, we talk about maybe coaching, you know, because coach see every match, yeah, how you play. He just say to you for the next match, that's was I don't know, against Federer. It's depend how you feeling already. If I come in semifinal and play against Federer, if I play if I feeling well, you know, if I have great feelings backhand, forehand, running good, yeah, just I think should be in the mind.
You need to think you can beat him. Not like he's No. 1, he's, yeah, that's was important only in head.
Q. As far as your mind and your mindset, I mean, there's got to be a feeling, you've been to a Grand Slam semifinal, two Grand Slam quarterfinals, and now to a semifinal here. Is there a point at which you say to yourself, Yes, I do belong here, I do belong playing the Roger Federers, the Nadals, the top players of the world? Yes, this is proper for me to be here?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, how you say, I didn't play so well of hard court. Now I prove I play better and better. I reach semifinal US Open of hard court. That's, for me already something special. Because Rebound Ace, different surface. Roland Garros, clay court. Here, hard court, American hard court is different, yeah? Completely different. That's was I did something special level already for me. That's was I played well already at the US Open. That's what's in my mind already. I can play good in hard court. That was maybe in the futures. I feeling already better and better. I play on Rebound Ace good, I play on clay court and I play on hard court. Only one I'm thinking grass court (smiling). Just I need to, you know.
But my coach say, How I play now on hard court here in America should be the same you need to play in Wimbledon. That's was. Because is changing games. Is really change. Clay and hard, different game. That was for me important. Faster change to surface, and play well.
Q. Despite what happens in the next match, can you say already that you're a different player right now than you were coming into the US Open, in terms of confidence, your faith in your ability?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I am different player for the hard court, I would say. I feeling I can I play very good of hard court already.
Q. Who was in the box next to your brother?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: My girlfriend.
Q. Girlfriend?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah.
Q. Curious about the Russians doing so incredibly well in tennis. The women, of course, have done incredibly, incredibly well. The men are doing better and better. What's the development of tennis like in Russia for the men and women? Is it different? Is it similar? Give me some idea, your own opinion.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, Russian how you say? Russian tennis completely different for us because we have different for us. Just meet only in Grand Slam. We have not so much tournament. I think, okay, it's Miami and Indian Wells also together. But we have different tournaments. We have different organization, yeah? Complete different tennis. That's was woman like WTA organization make for, you know we don't know. We don't know anything about women tennis. We meet here. We know we are friends like, you know, from Russian girls. Just we spoke together.
But not like something special.
Q. What's the main difference between players that went to the semifinal one year ago to Roland Garros and the one who's gonna be playing here the next days, mentally? You feel you're going to be much more confident, not that nervous? What's the main difference between the players?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Semifinal, yeah. You know, how you guys say? Like if Federer, say, reach semifinal, he think about, I need to win US Open, because he's No. 1, he won already here.
For me, I reach my best result I make now here in semifinal, yeah? Just I need to come to the court, get fun, you know? Like not be nervous for the semis. Maybe also, you know, thinking about, I can play good, I can also win this match. That's was maybe the futures important. Because not like, Just get fun coming, you know. Losing three sets and then come back, you have already semifinal is enough for me, yeah?
But also I try keep play better and better. I prove myself I try well. That's we'll see what's happen on Saturday.
Q. Where are you based now? Where are you training?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I train in Germany still, by my brother because he live there. It was for me easy coming from Europe because I play so many tournament in Europe. Coming there for a few days, just practice there.
Q. Have you considered going back to Russia to train there at all?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Never. Just we get Davis Cup and tournaments. That's it.
Q. Why? Why not train in Russia?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Because we have, hmm how you say? I don't say like bad about Russia. But it's not like something special if you come to Russia and you have you can practicing there. You have not so perfect for the players. That's was for me easy. It's flying far away, because three hours to Europe is already tough. That's was in Germany, like in Europe, like doesn't matter.
So many players Russian practice in Spain. That's was easy to fly somewhere in Europe because so many tournaments then in Europe. Is easy.
Q. How did you turn this match around today? You looked like you were beat after the second set.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know. It was like this (snapping).
I was I can't tell you how. Just was, you know, same position. Was everything played the same. Just was maybe lucky one breakpoint. Like this I win the third set (snapping). The same was in the fourth. And again, again.
Q. Just talk quickly about Davis Cup a little bit. You're in America and you're making us afraid now.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, good (smiling). Good for us.
Q. Are you thinking about that at all? What's your impression?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Only one thing I can tell. We play of clay court. It's completely different tennis (laughing). That's was we both play not I think everybody come to clay from hard should be not so great tennis, you know. From US Open, come of clay. That's why we'll see what's happen in Moscow (smiling).
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. How meaningful is this victory? You were down two sets and you came back and fought so very, very hard. How meaningful is this victory to you?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't think about anything. I think I can lose in three sets. Because Haas play well, great serve, I have not a chance to break him before. That was 6 4, 7 6. He just service, easy, you know, was for me. And every time in the third set was tough for my serve. I play so many from baseline. I try to fight. Come back. That's was I get all the time pression.
Then was only one break. That's it. I win in third set. I was surprising myself because he didn't make first serve, or only one return, and then that's it. He make from second serve, and I returning, I winning from baseline these points. Winning game. Then winning set.
And then is the same was in the fourth set.
But, you know, it's how you say? maybe it's a lucky day, because I, beginning from first and second set, play not so good. Like against Murray, I play better. That's was maybe 'cause weather was different. Was sun. Was balls fast. Spring higher.
Was a little bit tough for me today because Haas yesterday play of center court also. For him, was already five sets he play against Safin and was feeling good center court. That was for him, I think, should be kind of win in three sets. That was surprising.
Q. He called you a ball machine. What do you call Tommy? How would you describe his game?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, I didn't call nobody, you know, for the players. Sometimes guys surprising me, and if I play against this guy, you know, if some I know this player because I play against him before. Like he was playing very great from baseline. Because normally, like how I play from baseline, I try to play well. That was my important thing in the game, just hitting balls and good control, and do no mistake.
Haas play very well from forehand, and it was tough for me first to assess slice for him. I did so many mistake. That's why he won in break and he won games.
But then play better and better from my side.
But I don't know how say. Haas, five sets, killer, huh? For guys he play before. He beat Safin 7 6 in the fifth. That was I thinking about now five sets against me. He can, you know, try to come back, already at 5 2. But it was lucky, I think, by 5 4 I win my serve.
Q. Did you talk to Marat before the match at all about Tommy?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, no.
Q. Do you guys talk in general? Do the Russians kind of hang around?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: In Davis Cup.
Q. What?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: In Davis Cup.
Q. In Davis Cup?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. If we practicing together. It goes like hitting five minutes, go drinking, you know, water (smiling).
Q. This is an incredible accomplishment for you, but to the American public, we don't know that much about Nikolay Davydenko.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Is good for me (smiling).
Q. What are the special things about you as a man that have led to this accomplishment and made him special?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I think it's important how you say? Russian, is tough to say. Only one thing, if I say like I living in America, or I have residence America, maybe can be, should be completely different, you know. But I don't live, not yet. That's was still Russian, yeah, that's why for American is not important Russian players.
Because Sharapova say, she's Russian, but, yeah, she live in America; she's famous in America, because she was young, she's coming here in America. Every time is talking about she's American, yeah? Passport, just passport Russian, but she's American already.
That's was like I would say for US Open. It's important I think American player most. Just I see on TV everything was because like Roddick, Blake. I think it's important for the men's was here.
I didn't see so much Federer on TV. You know, he played of grandstand. He is No. 1. He is the favorite here. He won US Open. But is not so much famous here also. That's was from my side, I am go zero. That's was okay. Maybe I little bit like more in Europe more famous because I play good there.
Yeah, if I keep good result in America, if I play more tournaments, Miami, Indian Wells, playing better and better, maybe I should be famous already in America. Like for me, last week, New Haven, winning, already coming to US Open semis. I think, in New York, I am already famous.
Q. You make a good point. Still, my question, to reach this far into the tournament is extraordinary. What are the qualities that you have that have brought you here that make you special as a person?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Uhm, I don't know how I say. Maybe I need to win Grand Slam. That's was to be famous most.
Because Safin was No. 1. He won Grand Slam. He won US Open. He won Australia Open. That was coming from famous. I don't so like who care about, you know, Davydenko. Doesn't matter top 10. But he didn't win Grand Slam. I was not like No. 1, you know. Is not like I don't think about, like, some management make promotion and make something famous guy, because I don't think is so perfect. You need to do something in the tour. You need to win tournament, or you need to be No. 1 to be famous. Doesn't matter where.
Q. How does this performance rate in your career?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, now, like I would say was important to me still top 10 player in this year, yeah? Because I was finish 5 last year. Was great. I make semifinal.
Already, I finish already top 10 in this year. That's was maybe I can reach to the Masters in Shanghai. It's also important for the second year.
Q. You are an extremely consistent player, especially ground strokes and high pressure situations. How did you develop that skill? Is that something you always had from childhood, that focus, or is that something you had to really learn as you were maturing as a player?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Uhm, I think it's was all time I was young, I was playing everything, fighting, you know, play from baseline, try to do something. But I was skinny. I still I think skinny, you know.
But already I am moving better. Like moving in the court is important. Like I running good. Good control from baseline. It's from my side, it's very important. Not to be tired. Not to get some cramping in the five sets. It's I was surprising. I was play three hours, and I was feeling okay.
Q. Yesterday against Andy Murray you showed such zippiness, aliveness, really good placement of shots. Today we didn't see quite that same kind of figure. What was it about Tommy Haas that curtailed that?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Uhm, you ask about match, different match about Murray and Haas?
Maybe Murray play for me, it was better because he hitting faster and I was playing faster back. Haas was I think it was different weather. Because was sun and ball was little bit faster and higher, spring higher from hard court and center court. That's was he make a little bit more topspin, Haas, and was tough to control this ball from baseline. Very good slice from backhand, was very fast. That's why I do so many mistake. I was surprising myself from way I can't first two sets, I can't do anything. I was so many mistake. Can't do anything for control.
But then it's was maybe I lose so much power in first two sets, because I try to concentration more and more. Like do some mistake, and concentration more, because why I did? That's was but against Murray, I play good, you know. Like from baseline, I feeling more better.
Q. Nikolay, many American fans may not know your game. You have been remarkable in the Grand Slams this year. You've been to two quarterfinals in Australia. You took a set from Roger. You took him to two tiebreaks in the third and fourth sets, played him very, very tough. How will that help you if the very likely possibility will occur that you will play him next? How will you use that to help you in your strength, in your mind?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, it's like everybody ask, How you can play against Federer. Like, physically, why Nadal beat Federer. I think because he fighting every point. He running every point. Because Federer try to make winners, and Nadal play back. That's why he running, try to good control and still, you know, in position.
That's why I play in Australia against Federer. It was tough match, yeah? But I lose, yeah, I lose in the third and fourth sets tiebreaks. I have so many set points. I think is, you know, every year you get in the mind something thinking about, Why I losing, you know. Maybe is in the future you already better and better.
Maybe if you have set point, you do something different. You learn something. Try to make winners. You just keep it's like, we talk about maybe coaching, you know, because coach see every match, yeah, how you play. He just say to you for the next match, that's was I don't know, against Federer. It's depend how you feeling already. If I come in semifinal and play against Federer, if I play if I feeling well, you know, if I have great feelings backhand, forehand, running good, yeah, just I think should be in the mind.
You need to think you can beat him. Not like he's No. 1, he's, yeah, that's was important only in head.
Q. As far as your mind and your mindset, I mean, there's got to be a feeling, you've been to a Grand Slam semifinal, two Grand Slam quarterfinals, and now to a semifinal here. Is there a point at which you say to yourself, Yes, I do belong here, I do belong playing the Roger Federers, the Nadals, the top players of the world? Yes, this is proper for me to be here?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, how you say, I didn't play so well of hard court. Now I prove I play better and better. I reach semifinal US Open of hard court. That's, for me already something special. Because Rebound Ace, different surface. Roland Garros, clay court. Here, hard court, American hard court is different, yeah? Completely different. That's was I did something special level already for me. That's was I played well already at the US Open. That's what's in my mind already. I can play good in hard court. That was maybe in the futures. I feeling already better and better. I play on Rebound Ace good, I play on clay court and I play on hard court. Only one I'm thinking grass court (smiling). Just I need to, you know.
But my coach say, How I play now on hard court here in America should be the same you need to play in Wimbledon. That's was. Because is changing games. Is really change. Clay and hard, different game. That was for me important. Faster change to surface, and play well.
Q. Despite what happens in the next match, can you say already that you're a different player right now than you were coming into the US Open, in terms of confidence, your faith in your ability?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I am different player for the hard court, I would say. I feeling I can I play very good of hard court already.
Q. Who was in the box next to your brother?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: My girlfriend.
Q. Girlfriend?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah.
Q. Curious about the Russians doing so incredibly well in tennis. The women, of course, have done incredibly, incredibly well. The men are doing better and better. What's the development of tennis like in Russia for the men and women? Is it different? Is it similar? Give me some idea, your own opinion.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, Russian how you say? Russian tennis completely different for us because we have different for us. Just meet only in Grand Slam. We have not so much tournament. I think, okay, it's Miami and Indian Wells also together. But we have different tournaments. We have different organization, yeah? Complete different tennis. That's was woman like WTA organization make for, you know we don't know. We don't know anything about women tennis. We meet here. We know we are friends like, you know, from Russian girls. Just we spoke together.
But not like something special.
Q. What's the main difference between players that went to the semifinal one year ago to Roland Garros and the one who's gonna be playing here the next days, mentally? You feel you're going to be much more confident, not that nervous? What's the main difference between the players?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Semifinal, yeah. You know, how you guys say? Like if Federer, say, reach semifinal, he think about, I need to win US Open, because he's No. 1, he won already here.
For me, I reach my best result I make now here in semifinal, yeah? Just I need to come to the court, get fun, you know? Like not be nervous for the semis. Maybe also, you know, thinking about, I can play good, I can also win this match. That's was maybe the futures important. Because not like, Just get fun coming, you know. Losing three sets and then come back, you have already semifinal is enough for me, yeah?
But also I try keep play better and better. I prove myself I try well. That's we'll see what's happen on Saturday.
Q. Where are you based now? Where are you training?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I train in Germany still, by my brother because he live there. It was for me easy coming from Europe because I play so many tournament in Europe. Coming there for a few days, just practice there.
Q. Have you considered going back to Russia to train there at all?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Never. Just we get Davis Cup and tournaments. That's it.
Q. Why? Why not train in Russia?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Because we have, hmm how you say? I don't say like bad about Russia. But it's not like something special if you come to Russia and you have you can practicing there. You have not so perfect for the players. That's was for me easy. It's flying far away, because three hours to Europe is already tough. That's was in Germany, like in Europe, like doesn't matter.
So many players Russian practice in Spain. That's was easy to fly somewhere in Europe because so many tournaments then in Europe. Is easy.
Q. How did you turn this match around today? You looked like you were beat after the second set.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know. It was like this (snapping).
I was I can't tell you how. Just was, you know, same position. Was everything played the same. Just was maybe lucky one breakpoint. Like this I win the third set (snapping). The same was in the fourth. And again, again.
Q. Just talk quickly about Davis Cup a little bit. You're in America and you're making us afraid now.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, good (smiling). Good for us.
Q. Are you thinking about that at all? What's your impression?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Only one thing I can tell. We play of clay court. It's completely different tennis (laughing). That's was we both play not I think everybody come to clay from hard should be not so great tennis, you know. From US Open, come of clay. That's why we'll see what's happen in Moscow (smiling).
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
Player of the Day: Nikolay Davydenko
Player of the Day
Nikolay Davydenko
Russia
Day 11
As the action in Week 2 of the US Open progressed, the prognosticators started embracing the idea of a Russian player reaching the semifinals.
The Marat Safin bandwagon was in high gear following his upset of No. 4 seed David Nalbandian in the second round. Safin, the 2000 US Open champ, was seen as a player that could make a deep run in the tournament if he just rediscovered the form that made him the world’s No. 1 player only a few years ago.
The bandwagon picked up steam after Safin defeated Olivier Rochus in the third round, and visions of a potential Safin-Roger Federer semifinal were dancing in tennis fans’ heads.
But the ride hit a German bug in the Round of 16, as Tommy Haas ousted Safin by winning a fifth-set tie-break.
Next up for Haas was another Russian, the less-captivating Nikolay Davydenko, who unlike Safin, has never enjoyed much success in Grand Slams. By reaching the quarterfinals he had achieved his best ever showing in the US Open, and he had only one major semifinal on his resume (2005 French Open).
Oddly enough, even with the ouster of Safin, the seventh-seeded Davydenko found himself hoping to become the second Russian player to move into the semifinals. That’s because a day earlier, Russian Davis Cup teammate Mikhail Youzhny had advanced by pulling the biggest upset of the tournament, defeating No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal.
Davydenko was coming off an impressive defeat of No. 17 seed and darkhorse pick Andy Murray of Scotland, but failed to carry the momentum over into the start of his match with Haas. The 14th-seeded German took the first two sets off Davydenko and appeared braced to make the match go the minimum distance.
But Davydenko stuck to his game and took the next set, 6-3, then broke Haas late in the fourth before serving out the win. All of the sudden the match was knotted and Davydenko seemed to be gaining the upper-hand. On top of that, Haas was feeling the fatigue of playing his third straight five-set match and it was evident he was wearing down physically with each point.
Davydenko saw his opportunity and pounced on it, streaking out to a 5-2 lead in the fifth and deciding set by converting on 3-of-4 break chances. At this point Haas was cramping and needed help from the trainer.
After a final flurry by the German was staved off, Davydenko had achieved his first-ever semifinal appearance in the US Open. Up next is a date with the top seed and two-time defending US Open champion Roger Federer.
There’s a good chance Davydenko will be prematurely counted out of that match by the pundits once again. But floating under the radar has served the Russian well to this point.
Nikolay Davydenko
Russia
Day 11
As the action in Week 2 of the US Open progressed, the prognosticators started embracing the idea of a Russian player reaching the semifinals.
The Marat Safin bandwagon was in high gear following his upset of No. 4 seed David Nalbandian in the second round. Safin, the 2000 US Open champ, was seen as a player that could make a deep run in the tournament if he just rediscovered the form that made him the world’s No. 1 player only a few years ago.
The bandwagon picked up steam after Safin defeated Olivier Rochus in the third round, and visions of a potential Safin-Roger Federer semifinal were dancing in tennis fans’ heads.
But the ride hit a German bug in the Round of 16, as Tommy Haas ousted Safin by winning a fifth-set tie-break.
Next up for Haas was another Russian, the less-captivating Nikolay Davydenko, who unlike Safin, has never enjoyed much success in Grand Slams. By reaching the quarterfinals he had achieved his best ever showing in the US Open, and he had only one major semifinal on his resume (2005 French Open).
Oddly enough, even with the ouster of Safin, the seventh-seeded Davydenko found himself hoping to become the second Russian player to move into the semifinals. That’s because a day earlier, Russian Davis Cup teammate Mikhail Youzhny had advanced by pulling the biggest upset of the tournament, defeating No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal.
Davydenko was coming off an impressive defeat of No. 17 seed and darkhorse pick Andy Murray of Scotland, but failed to carry the momentum over into the start of his match with Haas. The 14th-seeded German took the first two sets off Davydenko and appeared braced to make the match go the minimum distance.
But Davydenko stuck to his game and took the next set, 6-3, then broke Haas late in the fourth before serving out the win. All of the sudden the match was knotted and Davydenko seemed to be gaining the upper-hand. On top of that, Haas was feeling the fatigue of playing his third straight five-set match and it was evident he was wearing down physically with each point.
Davydenko saw his opportunity and pounced on it, streaking out to a 5-2 lead in the fifth and deciding set by converting on 3-of-4 break chances. At this point Haas was cramping and needed help from the trainer.
After a final flurry by the German was staved off, Davydenko had achieved his first-ever semifinal appearance in the US Open. Up next is a date with the top seed and two-time defending US Open champion Roger Federer.
There’s a good chance Davydenko will be prematurely counted out of that match by the pundits once again. But floating under the radar has served the Russian well to this point.
Davydenko Hammers Haas In Five
Davydenko Hammers Haas In Five
by Erin Gell
Thursday, September 7, 2006
Nikolay Davydenko resurged from two sets down Thursday to move into his first ever US Open semifinal.
It meant another five-set showdown for opponent Tommy Haas, his third in as many days. But the 28-year-old German could not hang on this time, falling to the Russian 4-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Davydenko has been a busy man this year, playing in more matches than anyone else on the tour, and coming in second only to Roger Federer in the number of victories he’s notched in 2006.
The two got off to a level start, with Haas finally pulling ahead after a late break in the first set. The 6’2” German dominated with his serve, smacking 13 aces to Davydenko’s eight, but the second set stayed on-serve and was forced to a tiebreaker. When Haas secured that 7-3, things finally seemed to be going his way.
Yet just when Haas started getting comfortable, Davydenko rushed up to a 40-15 lead on the German’s serve. A few more well-placed balls and the break was his. In the next game, the spry Russian served up a love game to send the match into a fourth set.
Davydenko was really hustling now as Haas got more frustrated, and the Russian nabbed the fourth set 6-4.
Davydenko and Haas exchanged breaks to start the fifth set. Davydenko broke again in the fifth game, and barely won his next serve, then broke again to serve for the match at 5-2. Haas saved a match point to get a break of his own. During the changeover, Haas took an injury time out to have his cramping thighs massaged by the ATP trainer, and rejuvenated, came back out to win the next game. He even held a double break point with Davydenko now serving at 5-4. But the Russian was too strong and after three hours and 45 minutes, the match was finally over.
Davydenko has now reached the semifinals in his third major of the year. He will have another chance at advancing on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court when he faces the winner of the Roger Federer-James Blake match, which is set for Thursday evening.
by Erin Gell
Thursday, September 7, 2006
Nikolay Davydenko resurged from two sets down Thursday to move into his first ever US Open semifinal.
It meant another five-set showdown for opponent Tommy Haas, his third in as many days. But the 28-year-old German could not hang on this time, falling to the Russian 4-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Davydenko has been a busy man this year, playing in more matches than anyone else on the tour, and coming in second only to Roger Federer in the number of victories he’s notched in 2006.
The two got off to a level start, with Haas finally pulling ahead after a late break in the first set. The 6’2” German dominated with his serve, smacking 13 aces to Davydenko’s eight, but the second set stayed on-serve and was forced to a tiebreaker. When Haas secured that 7-3, things finally seemed to be going his way.
Yet just when Haas started getting comfortable, Davydenko rushed up to a 40-15 lead on the German’s serve. A few more well-placed balls and the break was his. In the next game, the spry Russian served up a love game to send the match into a fourth set.
Davydenko was really hustling now as Haas got more frustrated, and the Russian nabbed the fourth set 6-4.
Davydenko and Haas exchanged breaks to start the fifth set. Davydenko broke again in the fifth game, and barely won his next serve, then broke again to serve for the match at 5-2. Haas saved a match point to get a break of his own. During the changeover, Haas took an injury time out to have his cramping thighs massaged by the ATP trainer, and rejuvenated, came back out to win the next game. He even held a double break point with Davydenko now serving at 5-4. But the Russian was too strong and after three hours and 45 minutes, the match was finally over.
Davydenko has now reached the semifinals in his third major of the year. He will have another chance at advancing on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court when he faces the winner of the Roger Federer-James Blake match, which is set for Thursday evening.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Davydenko reaches Open semifinals; Federer or Blake awaits
Davydenko reaches Open semifinals; Federer or Blake awaits
By HOWARD FENDRICH, AP Sports Writer
September 7, 2006
Doubles teammates Martina Navratilova, of the United States, and Bob Bryan, of the United States, vie for the ball during their match against Anna-Lena Groenfeld, of Germany, and Frantisek Cermak, of the Czech Republic, at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006.
AP - Sep 7, 7:58 pm EDT
More Photos
NEW YORK (AP) -- He plays more tennis than anyone around, so a five-set test of wills lasting more than 3 1/2 hours seemed a fitting way for Nikolay Davydenko to work his way into the U.S. Open semifinals.
Maybe now he'll get some more attention.
The seventh-seeded Davydenko dropped the first two sets in a half-empty stadium, then came all the way back to beat No. 14 Tommy Haas 4-6, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals Thursday.
"It was surprising. I played three hours and was feeling OK," Davydenko said, then acknowledged that he's not all that well-known. "Who cares about Davydenko?" he imagined fans saying. "He didn't win a Grand Slam, was not No. 1."
His victory was the only afternoon singles match at Flushing Meadows, but there was doubles action -- Martina Navratilova and Nadia Petrova lost in the quarterfinals to defending champions Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur 7-6 (1), 6-3. It was the last women's doubles match of Navratilova's career; she was scheduled to play mixed doubles later Thursday.
"You're only as old as you feel, and I certainly don't feel 49," said Navratilova, who owns 58 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles and is retiring for a second time after this tournament. "I just wanted to inspire people."
Davydenko will play his tour-leading 77th match of the season against No. 1 Roger Federer or No. 5 James Blake, whose quarterfinal was slated for Thursday night. The other men's semifinal Saturday will be No. 9 Andy Roddick against unseeded Mikhail Youzhny, who upset Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals.
Davydenko and Youzhny give Russia two men's semifinalists at a Grand Slam tournament for only the second time in the Open era, which began in 1968. Marat Safin and Yevgeny Kafelnikov lost in the final four at the 2001 U.S. Open.
The women's semifinals Friday feature three women who've been ranked No. 1 and won at least one Grand Slam title. No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo plays No. 3 Maria Sharapova, and No. 2 Justine Henin-Hardenne plays No. 19 Jelena Jankovic, who never made it beyond the fourth round of a major until this tournament.
Davydenko had failed to get past the third round at the U.S. Open before, although he did make a major semifinal at the 2005 French Open.
He and Haas both looked fatigued as Thursday's match stretched on, and the German might have been feeling the effects of needing to go to fifth-set tiebreakers in each of the previous two rounds. Haas yelled, "Giddyup!" as he emerged from the locker room before the match, but by the end, he was a step slow.
"In the fifth set, for me, it was probably more physical than anything. My body didn't feel good anymore," Haas said. "I was making too many unforced errors, and I couldn't cover the court as well as I did the first three or four sets."
Davydenko improved to 3-0 this year in five-setters, but this one could have ended earlier than it did.
He held a match point while trying to serve out the victory, leading 5-2 in the fifth, but he sailed a forehand long, and Haas wound up breaking his serve. After that game, Haas called for a trainer, who massaged both of his thighs. Davydenko showed signs of physical distress, too, occasionally limping after lunging for shots.
Nikolay Davydenko, or Russia, reacts after defeating Tommy Haas, of Germany, at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006.
Davydenko served for the match again at 5-4, and faced two break points, but he erased the first with a cross-court forehand winner, and the second with a 131 mph service winner, and eventually ended the match with a big forehand.
Haas said Davydenko plays "like a ball machine. Gets every ball back. He doesn't really miss much. When he gets into a groove, he finds a lot of corners and makes the opponent run. That's his game, and that's working for him."
Roddick's game has featured powerful serves and forehands for quite some time, but he's adding other dimensions with new coach Jimmy Connors.
As he demonstrated in beating 2001 Open champion Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets in the quarterfinals Wednesday night, Roddick is playing more aggressively. He's charging the net much more than in the past, including behind some second serves, and using a suddenly effective down-the-line backhand. Those are things other coaches tried in vain to get Roddick to do.
"It resonates well coming from Jimmy," said John Roddick, Andy's older brother and one of a string of coaches preceding Connors. "Jimmy obviously doesn't need a job. He doesn't need any of the fanfare that goes with it. Andy knows when it comes to Jimmy, it's very straightforward and very matter-of-fact and very simple. It definitely hits home with him."
Both Roddicks talk about how Connors, a five-time Open champion who pretty much dropped out of sight after retiring in the early 1990s, gave Andy greater self-belief merely by agreeing to team up. The confidence that began to slide away at Flushing Meadows in 2005, when Roddick lost in the first round, is now restored.
"Confidence is a fickle thing," John Roddick said, "but then it comes back quickly."
Roddick and Connors both declined to answer questions as they walked off a practice court Thursday afternoon.
"I'm taking the rest of the day off," Roddick said, then ducked into the locker room.
Updated on Thursday, Sep 7, 2006 8:03 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ap-usopen&prov=ap&type=lgns
By HOWARD FENDRICH, AP Sports Writer
September 7, 2006
Doubles teammates Martina Navratilova, of the United States, and Bob Bryan, of the United States, vie for the ball during their match against Anna-Lena Groenfeld, of Germany, and Frantisek Cermak, of the Czech Republic, at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006.
AP - Sep 7, 7:58 pm EDT
More Photos
NEW YORK (AP) -- He plays more tennis than anyone around, so a five-set test of wills lasting more than 3 1/2 hours seemed a fitting way for Nikolay Davydenko to work his way into the U.S. Open semifinals.
Maybe now he'll get some more attention.
The seventh-seeded Davydenko dropped the first two sets in a half-empty stadium, then came all the way back to beat No. 14 Tommy Haas 4-6, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals Thursday.
"It was surprising. I played three hours and was feeling OK," Davydenko said, then acknowledged that he's not all that well-known. "Who cares about Davydenko?" he imagined fans saying. "He didn't win a Grand Slam, was not No. 1."
His victory was the only afternoon singles match at Flushing Meadows, but there was doubles action -- Martina Navratilova and Nadia Petrova lost in the quarterfinals to defending champions Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur 7-6 (1), 6-3. It was the last women's doubles match of Navratilova's career; she was scheduled to play mixed doubles later Thursday.
"You're only as old as you feel, and I certainly don't feel 49," said Navratilova, who owns 58 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles and is retiring for a second time after this tournament. "I just wanted to inspire people."
Davydenko will play his tour-leading 77th match of the season against No. 1 Roger Federer or No. 5 James Blake, whose quarterfinal was slated for Thursday night. The other men's semifinal Saturday will be No. 9 Andy Roddick against unseeded Mikhail Youzhny, who upset Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals.
Davydenko and Youzhny give Russia two men's semifinalists at a Grand Slam tournament for only the second time in the Open era, which began in 1968. Marat Safin and Yevgeny Kafelnikov lost in the final four at the 2001 U.S. Open.
The women's semifinals Friday feature three women who've been ranked No. 1 and won at least one Grand Slam title. No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo plays No. 3 Maria Sharapova, and No. 2 Justine Henin-Hardenne plays No. 19 Jelena Jankovic, who never made it beyond the fourth round of a major until this tournament.
Davydenko had failed to get past the third round at the U.S. Open before, although he did make a major semifinal at the 2005 French Open.
He and Haas both looked fatigued as Thursday's match stretched on, and the German might have been feeling the effects of needing to go to fifth-set tiebreakers in each of the previous two rounds. Haas yelled, "Giddyup!" as he emerged from the locker room before the match, but by the end, he was a step slow.
"In the fifth set, for me, it was probably more physical than anything. My body didn't feel good anymore," Haas said. "I was making too many unforced errors, and I couldn't cover the court as well as I did the first three or four sets."
Davydenko improved to 3-0 this year in five-setters, but this one could have ended earlier than it did.
He held a match point while trying to serve out the victory, leading 5-2 in the fifth, but he sailed a forehand long, and Haas wound up breaking his serve. After that game, Haas called for a trainer, who massaged both of his thighs. Davydenko showed signs of physical distress, too, occasionally limping after lunging for shots.
Nikolay Davydenko, or Russia, reacts after defeating Tommy Haas, of Germany, at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006.
Davydenko served for the match again at 5-4, and faced two break points, but he erased the first with a cross-court forehand winner, and the second with a 131 mph service winner, and eventually ended the match with a big forehand.
Haas said Davydenko plays "like a ball machine. Gets every ball back. He doesn't really miss much. When he gets into a groove, he finds a lot of corners and makes the opponent run. That's his game, and that's working for him."
Roddick's game has featured powerful serves and forehands for quite some time, but he's adding other dimensions with new coach Jimmy Connors.
As he demonstrated in beating 2001 Open champion Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets in the quarterfinals Wednesday night, Roddick is playing more aggressively. He's charging the net much more than in the past, including behind some second serves, and using a suddenly effective down-the-line backhand. Those are things other coaches tried in vain to get Roddick to do.
"It resonates well coming from Jimmy," said John Roddick, Andy's older brother and one of a string of coaches preceding Connors. "Jimmy obviously doesn't need a job. He doesn't need any of the fanfare that goes with it. Andy knows when it comes to Jimmy, it's very straightforward and very matter-of-fact and very simple. It definitely hits home with him."
Both Roddicks talk about how Connors, a five-time Open champion who pretty much dropped out of sight after retiring in the early 1990s, gave Andy greater self-belief merely by agreeing to team up. The confidence that began to slide away at Flushing Meadows in 2005, when Roddick lost in the first round, is now restored.
"Confidence is a fickle thing," John Roddick said, "but then it comes back quickly."
Roddick and Connors both declined to answer questions as they walked off a practice court Thursday afternoon.
"I'm taking the rest of the day off," Roddick said, then ducked into the locker room.
Updated on Thursday, Sep 7, 2006 8:03 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ap-usopen&prov=ap&type=lgns
An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO
An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. You play almost every single week. How do you do that?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Okay, how I do? I can prepare before preparation before big tournament. Yeah, for me, important to play some small tournament like New Haven, or Sydney or something like in Australia before Grand Slam. If I play good there, I come into. Like, it's happening.
Like this year I play Sydney semifinal. Come into Australian Open, play quarters. That's was. Play Roland Garros. Win tournament before Roland Garros, play good Roland Garros. It was winning New Haven, feeling good here, it was playing good here.
Because, like, I think confidence for winning tournament or play good. You come in for the next tournament, you have the same ball, same surface that was. And, okay, it was important to win first round in Grand Slam. That's where you play better and better.
Q. The momentum is important from week to week for you. But at the same time, do you ever feel, I need a rest, I have to stop and let the body get fresh?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Sometimes, but...
Q. Not often?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Sometimes take rest if I play many matches, you know. How you say, many matches, if I win tournament or like in the next I come in to semis or finals. But I don't make so much winners like Federer, yeah? Like, he come into tournament, win tournament. And then next week, that's when he take off, like Nadal.
I play quarters, play semis. It's not enough, I would say. It's only three, four matches in a week. That's was come in for the next week, also I have time, I get rest few days, play next tournament.
Q. It's not like you play short points. Your points are long.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, depends where you play. Depends which surface. Depends which balls. Everything is different.
Yeah, I try to play my game, and my game is longer, yeah.
Q. You have a title in New Haven, but in Toronto and Cincinnati, you didn't play so well. Why?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Why? It's only one reason like why I didn't play. After, like, say change from hard court to clay court, also I losing three weeks in a row first round coming from a hard court and prepare for the clay court. I need I think some weeks, like two weeks should be was enough.
Like after winning Sopot on clay, coming to Toronto, losing first round. And Cincinnati was also first round. It was two weeks practicing of hard court and come in already to New Haven feeling better and better.
Moving. Movement very important of hard court. Because from slicing of clay, and good to run of hard, is completely different.
And change games. Change everything was important also.
Q. So are you concerned about the change of surface for the Davis Cup going on to the clay? That clay is going to be pretty thick and indoors and all that.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, we get a clay court and indoor. That was for us important because against Americans, we need to play of clay. Because Blake and Roddick should be like is for sure of hard court get play better because faster, and Roddick get good serve.
For Blake, I think for us, everybody how you say Safin, me, play good of clay court. That was should be different game.
But for us, also difficult changing from hard court to clay.
Q. Are you surprised how easy it was this morning?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: How I say surprising? It was not surprising because I was just because every point was difficult, really. Because we play, he can win also many games because was breakpoints. He get chance also to win game. It was try to have concentration every point. That's was all time was close. It was 6 Love. It, like, was game.
Q. What's your evaluation of Murray as a player?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I was surprising. Normally, I think I should be play faster. I think he was go some big serve and coming to the net. That's was he still from baseline play really slow. And running from baseline of hard court it's was I was surprising because hard court I think make some winners or something, play faster. He just play some try to make long rally. For me, was okay. For me, was great.
Q. December of 1995, one of the great moments in U.S. Davis Cup history. Pete Sampras on clay.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Uh hmm.
Q. Beating the Russian Davis Cup team. Where were you when that Davis Cup tie was held? Did you watch on TV?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No. '95, I don't remember. For me, was I don't care about Davis Cup Russian.
Q. Is there in Russia with Russian tennis fans a feeling that this is the moment for revenge for that particular time?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Is different time. I would say was Sampras, was Agassi. It was great player. No. 1 in the world, No. 2. It was completely different. Coming to Russia, okay, we get doesn't matter which surface, because Agassi win like Roland Garros of clay. It's you never know what's happen, you know.
Okay, for us also tough now on clay to play at home, because we play at home. That's was maybe for us easy to play in America because you don't think about you need to win; you just play like easy. Like, for sure, like team we get already. Safin, me, any team should be we play matches there.
Like, yeah how you say? you never know what's happen before matches, yeah? That's was I cannot tell you now ahead of time.
Q. Because of the rain and the schedule here at the Open, we're in a situation where you might play four matches in five days. What's your thinking on that? Do you think it's something that should be changed? Like the other Slams have a day off between the semis and the final.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, I never come to the semis or the final. That's was why I don't care about changing. I play now normal. Like I play, I get day off. I play, say like play Wednesday, and then I play Friday matches. So always I have one day off normally. Today was only finish set. Should be I play tomorrow match, yeah?
It's okay. It's tough. Guys play, Safin and Haas, yeah, play all match today and should be tomorrow already play match. Recovery is not so great.
But how you say? like it's weather, you know. What we can change here in a Grand Slam? Because we get two weeks, and still rules. You play, you have one day off. Is still rain. You need to play every day. That was we can't do anything.
Q. Which is your best shot, here (pointing to head), here (pointing to heart)?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I think it's more important movement in the court. I think if you move good in the court, running good. And good control from the baseline I think is best what I get now.
Q. There is a large number, a high number of Russian people living in this city. Do you feel their presence when you come to the US Open?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I never see so much Russian here at US Open. I think Russian don't care about US Open in Brooklyn (smiling).
Q. Andy Murray was just in here. He's coming off of a very successful hard court season. Yet in his press conference, just having gone out 6 0 to you in the final set, he said he played, he thought, one of his best matches in the season, and that the reason you took him was you were just simply too good. He had no regrets with the way he played. Again, he said you were simply too good. Just assess the way that you feel you are playing right now having made it to the quarterfinals.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yesterday was different match. Yesterday we play both good, yeah? Today was completely different. I think we was both nervous because from beginning match he makes start from double faults. Because he never did before, yeah?
We play more slowly today. Not like some winners. He try to keep ball back. I try something to do. But this was different. It was because for me important to win last set. For him, coming like back, he need to win two sets. That's why today was tough.
But I try to play good. I try to do no mistake in the court. That's was fight every ball. Concentration, every ball.
But say it was good match, but not good enough, I would say. I think yesterday was better.
Q. What do you think he needs to do to improve his game?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: For who?
Q. Murray. What does Murray need to do?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know. I am not coaching for Murray. That's why he get Gilbert. Gilbert need to improve him for the next season.
Q. Last year was the first year you made the Tennis Masters Cup. Can you talk about how special it was to actually make it and to be there for the first time, what you felt.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, it's like in your career, like you feeling you reach Masters in Shanghai. It doesn't matter where. It's like last tournament of year. You come for top eight players, to best play in the world. You come in there. It's something different. You feeling you are good player with this moment.
Q. You feel like you really arrive, or made it?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, yeah, make it for all season, for all years. End of the year, you coming to Masters, it's very good.
Q. In previous round you beat the Polish guy Lukasz Kubot. What can you say about his potential, his weak points.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: How what I can say? I can't explain anybody like players. Just say he was reach third round in US Open. It's good for him, because he good. He make good points. He could become top, top hundred player. It's good for him.
I cannot tell like now. Because I see him in Sopot, he losing first round. What I can say? He need to play good, improve every week to play good. Then I can say he was good player.
Q. Do you have the game, do you think, at this point and the maturity to see yourself going to the finals and maybe even taking this tournament?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, I don't want to go to the final. I need to prepare to quarters. I don't know who's coming, Safin or Haas. Because Safin, I lose already in hard court two times, but three sets. Haas, I beat, but in clay court. That was different game. Different match should be tomorrow.
Both guy play faster. It should be completely different. Both guy, good serve. I think it should be already tough to returning service. You never know.
Q. Are you as confident as you've ever been?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Confidence is good for me. I feeling okay.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. You play almost every single week. How do you do that?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Okay, how I do? I can prepare before preparation before big tournament. Yeah, for me, important to play some small tournament like New Haven, or Sydney or something like in Australia before Grand Slam. If I play good there, I come into. Like, it's happening.
Like this year I play Sydney semifinal. Come into Australian Open, play quarters. That's was. Play Roland Garros. Win tournament before Roland Garros, play good Roland Garros. It was winning New Haven, feeling good here, it was playing good here.
Because, like, I think confidence for winning tournament or play good. You come in for the next tournament, you have the same ball, same surface that was. And, okay, it was important to win first round in Grand Slam. That's where you play better and better.
Q. The momentum is important from week to week for you. But at the same time, do you ever feel, I need a rest, I have to stop and let the body get fresh?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Sometimes, but...
Q. Not often?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Sometimes take rest if I play many matches, you know. How you say, many matches, if I win tournament or like in the next I come in to semis or finals. But I don't make so much winners like Federer, yeah? Like, he come into tournament, win tournament. And then next week, that's when he take off, like Nadal.
I play quarters, play semis. It's not enough, I would say. It's only three, four matches in a week. That's was come in for the next week, also I have time, I get rest few days, play next tournament.
Q. It's not like you play short points. Your points are long.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, depends where you play. Depends which surface. Depends which balls. Everything is different.
Yeah, I try to play my game, and my game is longer, yeah.
Q. You have a title in New Haven, but in Toronto and Cincinnati, you didn't play so well. Why?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Why? It's only one reason like why I didn't play. After, like, say change from hard court to clay court, also I losing three weeks in a row first round coming from a hard court and prepare for the clay court. I need I think some weeks, like two weeks should be was enough.
Like after winning Sopot on clay, coming to Toronto, losing first round. And Cincinnati was also first round. It was two weeks practicing of hard court and come in already to New Haven feeling better and better.
Moving. Movement very important of hard court. Because from slicing of clay, and good to run of hard, is completely different.
And change games. Change everything was important also.
Q. So are you concerned about the change of surface for the Davis Cup going on to the clay? That clay is going to be pretty thick and indoors and all that.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, we get a clay court and indoor. That was for us important because against Americans, we need to play of clay. Because Blake and Roddick should be like is for sure of hard court get play better because faster, and Roddick get good serve.
For Blake, I think for us, everybody how you say Safin, me, play good of clay court. That was should be different game.
But for us, also difficult changing from hard court to clay.
Q. Are you surprised how easy it was this morning?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: How I say surprising? It was not surprising because I was just because every point was difficult, really. Because we play, he can win also many games because was breakpoints. He get chance also to win game. It was try to have concentration every point. That's was all time was close. It was 6 Love. It, like, was game.
Q. What's your evaluation of Murray as a player?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I was surprising. Normally, I think I should be play faster. I think he was go some big serve and coming to the net. That's was he still from baseline play really slow. And running from baseline of hard court it's was I was surprising because hard court I think make some winners or something, play faster. He just play some try to make long rally. For me, was okay. For me, was great.
Q. December of 1995, one of the great moments in U.S. Davis Cup history. Pete Sampras on clay.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Uh hmm.
Q. Beating the Russian Davis Cup team. Where were you when that Davis Cup tie was held? Did you watch on TV?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No. '95, I don't remember. For me, was I don't care about Davis Cup Russian.
Q. Is there in Russia with Russian tennis fans a feeling that this is the moment for revenge for that particular time?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Is different time. I would say was Sampras, was Agassi. It was great player. No. 1 in the world, No. 2. It was completely different. Coming to Russia, okay, we get doesn't matter which surface, because Agassi win like Roland Garros of clay. It's you never know what's happen, you know.
Okay, for us also tough now on clay to play at home, because we play at home. That's was maybe for us easy to play in America because you don't think about you need to win; you just play like easy. Like, for sure, like team we get already. Safin, me, any team should be we play matches there.
Like, yeah how you say? you never know what's happen before matches, yeah? That's was I cannot tell you now ahead of time.
Q. Because of the rain and the schedule here at the Open, we're in a situation where you might play four matches in five days. What's your thinking on that? Do you think it's something that should be changed? Like the other Slams have a day off between the semis and the final.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, I never come to the semis or the final. That's was why I don't care about changing. I play now normal. Like I play, I get day off. I play, say like play Wednesday, and then I play Friday matches. So always I have one day off normally. Today was only finish set. Should be I play tomorrow match, yeah?
It's okay. It's tough. Guys play, Safin and Haas, yeah, play all match today and should be tomorrow already play match. Recovery is not so great.
But how you say? like it's weather, you know. What we can change here in a Grand Slam? Because we get two weeks, and still rules. You play, you have one day off. Is still rain. You need to play every day. That was we can't do anything.
Q. Which is your best shot, here (pointing to head), here (pointing to heart)?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I think it's more important movement in the court. I think if you move good in the court, running good. And good control from the baseline I think is best what I get now.
Q. There is a large number, a high number of Russian people living in this city. Do you feel their presence when you come to the US Open?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I never see so much Russian here at US Open. I think Russian don't care about US Open in Brooklyn (smiling).
Q. Andy Murray was just in here. He's coming off of a very successful hard court season. Yet in his press conference, just having gone out 6 0 to you in the final set, he said he played, he thought, one of his best matches in the season, and that the reason you took him was you were just simply too good. He had no regrets with the way he played. Again, he said you were simply too good. Just assess the way that you feel you are playing right now having made it to the quarterfinals.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yesterday was different match. Yesterday we play both good, yeah? Today was completely different. I think we was both nervous because from beginning match he makes start from double faults. Because he never did before, yeah?
We play more slowly today. Not like some winners. He try to keep ball back. I try something to do. But this was different. It was because for me important to win last set. For him, coming like back, he need to win two sets. That's why today was tough.
But I try to play good. I try to do no mistake in the court. That's was fight every ball. Concentration, every ball.
But say it was good match, but not good enough, I would say. I think yesterday was better.
Q. What do you think he needs to do to improve his game?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: For who?
Q. Murray. What does Murray need to do?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know. I am not coaching for Murray. That's why he get Gilbert. Gilbert need to improve him for the next season.
Q. Last year was the first year you made the Tennis Masters Cup. Can you talk about how special it was to actually make it and to be there for the first time, what you felt.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, it's like in your career, like you feeling you reach Masters in Shanghai. It doesn't matter where. It's like last tournament of year. You come for top eight players, to best play in the world. You come in there. It's something different. You feeling you are good player with this moment.
Q. You feel like you really arrive, or made it?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, yeah, make it for all season, for all years. End of the year, you coming to Masters, it's very good.
Q. In previous round you beat the Polish guy Lukasz Kubot. What can you say about his potential, his weak points.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: How what I can say? I can't explain anybody like players. Just say he was reach third round in US Open. It's good for him, because he good. He make good points. He could become top, top hundred player. It's good for him.
I cannot tell like now. Because I see him in Sopot, he losing first round. What I can say? He need to play good, improve every week to play good. Then I can say he was good player.
Q. Do you have the game, do you think, at this point and the maturity to see yourself going to the finals and maybe even taking this tournament?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, I don't want to go to the final. I need to prepare to quarters. I don't know who's coming, Safin or Haas. Because Safin, I lose already in hard court two times, but three sets. Haas, I beat, but in clay court. That was different game. Different match should be tomorrow.
Both guy play faster. It should be completely different. Both guy, good serve. I think it should be already tough to returning service. You never know.
Q. Are you as confident as you've ever been?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Confidence is good for me. I feeling okay.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
Savvy Davy Reaches Quarter
Savvy Davy Reaches Quarters
by Erin Bruehl
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
When the skies opened up to pour rain on Flushing Meadows on Tuesday, the fourth-round match between Nikolay Davydenko and Andy Murray had just finished the third set, with Davydenko holding a two-sets-to-one advantage.
Murray was struggling with his first serves but had managed to rally and win the second set from Davydenko after the Russian easily won the first set and before Davydenko bounced back to win the third.
Almost 24 hours later, the fourth set began, but Murray could not rally again, falling to Davydenko, 6-0, in the fourth set, as the No. 7 seed took the match, 6-1, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0, in Louis Armstrong Stadium.
For Davydenko, it is his fifth career Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance and his first-ever quarterfinal appearance at the US Open. He lost in the second round last year in Flushing.
He will play either Marat Safin or Tommy Haas in the quarterfinals.
Heading into his second US Open (and his first as a seeded player), the 19-year-old Murray has had quite a season, advancing to the round of 16 at Wimbledon, including a defeat of Andy Roddick in straight sets in the third round. And his highlight of highlights this summer was defeating world No. 1 Roger Federer in the second round at AMS Cincinnati – the only man besides Rafael Nadal to beat Federer so far this year.
But No. 17 Murray could not keep the magic going vs. Davydenko – even with the crowd behind him – as his inability to convert even 50 percent of his first serves in the match hurt him, converting just 47 percent.
Davydenko looked like the veteran in the first set, winning in just 27 minutes, as Murray completed just 43 percent of his first serves. And he was able to convert just 3-of-12 break points for the match vs. Davydenko.
But Murray fought back in the second set, scoring his first break of Davydenko in the third game when after a long baseline rally, a Davydenko forehand shot went wide. Davydenko then broke Murray in the 10th game to tie it at 5-5, and Murray then went ahead, 6-5, on another break and held his serve in the 12th game for the set with a fist pump and cheers from the crowd.
Murray started strong in the third set, as well, breaking Davydenko and holding his serve to go up 2-0, but Murray would win just one more game in the set, holding his serve in the eighth as Davydenko was in control, continuing to hit well-placed shots, with winners to the corners and lines. For the match, Davydenko had 38 winners to just 19 for Murray, despite committing 53 unforced errors to 43 for Murray.
But Murray’s serving struggles continued in the fourth set Wednesday, and he was not able to hold serve once, including double-faulting the third game to Davydenko.
Match Facts
- Davydenko has won three titles in 2006, his most for a single season.
- Davydenko also reached the quarterfinals this year at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
- Murray was the US Open boys' champion in 2004.
- Murray won his first title at San Jose in February, defeating Andy Roddick in the semifinals and Lleyton Hewitt in the final.
by Erin Bruehl
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
When the skies opened up to pour rain on Flushing Meadows on Tuesday, the fourth-round match between Nikolay Davydenko and Andy Murray had just finished the third set, with Davydenko holding a two-sets-to-one advantage.
Murray was struggling with his first serves but had managed to rally and win the second set from Davydenko after the Russian easily won the first set and before Davydenko bounced back to win the third.
Almost 24 hours later, the fourth set began, but Murray could not rally again, falling to Davydenko, 6-0, in the fourth set, as the No. 7 seed took the match, 6-1, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0, in Louis Armstrong Stadium.
For Davydenko, it is his fifth career Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance and his first-ever quarterfinal appearance at the US Open. He lost in the second round last year in Flushing.
He will play either Marat Safin or Tommy Haas in the quarterfinals.
Heading into his second US Open (and his first as a seeded player), the 19-year-old Murray has had quite a season, advancing to the round of 16 at Wimbledon, including a defeat of Andy Roddick in straight sets in the third round. And his highlight of highlights this summer was defeating world No. 1 Roger Federer in the second round at AMS Cincinnati – the only man besides Rafael Nadal to beat Federer so far this year.
But No. 17 Murray could not keep the magic going vs. Davydenko – even with the crowd behind him – as his inability to convert even 50 percent of his first serves in the match hurt him, converting just 47 percent.
Davydenko looked like the veteran in the first set, winning in just 27 minutes, as Murray completed just 43 percent of his first serves. And he was able to convert just 3-of-12 break points for the match vs. Davydenko.
But Murray fought back in the second set, scoring his first break of Davydenko in the third game when after a long baseline rally, a Davydenko forehand shot went wide. Davydenko then broke Murray in the 10th game to tie it at 5-5, and Murray then went ahead, 6-5, on another break and held his serve in the 12th game for the set with a fist pump and cheers from the crowd.
Murray started strong in the third set, as well, breaking Davydenko and holding his serve to go up 2-0, but Murray would win just one more game in the set, holding his serve in the eighth as Davydenko was in control, continuing to hit well-placed shots, with winners to the corners and lines. For the match, Davydenko had 38 winners to just 19 for Murray, despite committing 53 unforced errors to 43 for Murray.
But Murray’s serving struggles continued in the fourth set Wednesday, and he was not able to hold serve once, including double-faulting the third game to Davydenko.
Match Facts
- Davydenko has won three titles in 2006, his most for a single season.
- Davydenko also reached the quarterfinals this year at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
- Murray was the US Open boys' champion in 2004.
- Murray won his first title at San Jose in February, defeating Andy Roddick in the semifinals and Lleyton Hewitt in the final.
Open-Davydenko comeback halts marathon man Haas
Open-Davydenko comeback halts marathon man Haas
(adds quotes)
By Simon Cambers
NEW YORK, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Russian Nikolay Davydenko produced a stirring comeback as he recovered from two sets down to beat German Tommy Haas 4-6 6-7 6-3 6-4 6-4 to reach the U.S. Open semi-finals on Thursday.
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The seventh seed was outplayed for two sets but Haas, who won back-to-back fifth-set tiebreaks to reach the last eight, tired as the match wore on and Davydenko held his nerve to reach the semi-finals in New York for the first time.
"I think I was lucky," Davydenko said.
"But it was tough, I was 5-2 (up in the final set) then break point and 5-4 and I didn't know what I could do, but I am happy to be in the semi-finals."
Haas won four straight games to win the first set and looked on course for his first semi-final at Flushing Meadows when he took the second on a tiebreak.
But Davydenko refused to give in and one break in each set helped him to level the match.
After trading breaks at the start of the deciding set, Davydenko broke twice to lead 5-2 but Haas saved a match point and broke back and reduced the deficit to 5-4.
Haas then had two break points to level at 5-5 but Davydenko held on to set up a semi-final against either defending champion Roger Federer or American fifth seed James Blake.
Updated on Thursday, Sep 7, 2006 7:03 pm EDT
(adds quotes)
By Simon Cambers
NEW YORK, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Russian Nikolay Davydenko produced a stirring comeback as he recovered from two sets down to beat German Tommy Haas 4-6 6-7 6-3 6-4 6-4 to reach the U.S. Open semi-finals on Thursday.
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The seventh seed was outplayed for two sets but Haas, who won back-to-back fifth-set tiebreaks to reach the last eight, tired as the match wore on and Davydenko held his nerve to reach the semi-finals in New York for the first time.
"I think I was lucky," Davydenko said.
"But it was tough, I was 5-2 (up in the final set) then break point and 5-4 and I didn't know what I could do, but I am happy to be in the semi-finals."
Haas won four straight games to win the first set and looked on course for his first semi-final at Flushing Meadows when he took the second on a tiebreak.
But Davydenko refused to give in and one break in each set helped him to level the match.
After trading breaks at the start of the deciding set, Davydenko broke twice to lead 5-2 but Haas saved a match point and broke back and reduced the deficit to 5-4.
Haas then had two break points to level at 5-5 but Davydenko held on to set up a semi-final against either defending champion Roger Federer or American fifth seed James Blake.
Updated on Thursday, Sep 7, 2006 7:03 pm EDT
Davydenko outlasts Haas to reach first US Open semis
Davydenko outlasts Haas to reach first US Open semis
by Greg Heakes
September 7, 2006
NEW YORK (AFP) - Russia's Nikolay Davydenko reached his first US Open semi-final by rallying to defeat 14th seeded German Tommy Haas 4-6, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a five-set match.
The 25-year-old Davydenko clinched the match with a forehand blast down the middle, ending the 3hr, 45min marathon in front of a crowd of about 13,000 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Davydenko, who came back from 0-2 down for the fourth time in his career, will play the winner of a match between top seed Roger Federer and James Blake for a place in Sunday's men's final.
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He is the second Russian in the semis, joining compatriot Mikhail Youzhny, who posted a stunning upset of world number two Rafael Nadal on Wednesday. Youzhny will take on Andy Roddick in the other semi-final.
It is just the second time in the Open Era there are two Russian men in the semi-final of a Grand Slam tournament.
The German didn't give up easily, surviving one match point before finally surrendering as he struggled to hold serve in the final set.
Davydenko was ahead 5-2 and appeared to be cruising to victory when Haas staged a mini rally by taking the next two games.
The stoic Davydenko is one of the busiest players on the ATP Tour, but has had trouble closing out five setters.
This will be just the second-career Grand Slam semi-final for Davydenko who has played a tour high 75 matches and 26 tournaments this year.
Haas closed out the first set by winning 10 of the final 12 points. He broke Davydenko in the final game of the first set, clinching it when Davydenko's backhand return sailed long.
The German jumped out to an early lead in the second set tie-break. He hit a thunderous running backhand down the line that froze Davydenko, giving him a 3-0 lead.
Davydenko pulled even at 3-3 and then changed his racquet but couldn't alter his luck as Haas won the final four points to take the tie-break.
By the middle of the fourth set though, the momentum had swung in Davydenko's favour and Haas was swearing out loud in German.
In the crucial fifth set, Davydenko broke Haas in the first game to lead for the first time in the match.
With the German reeling, Davydenko broke him again the fifth game causing Haas to scream once again in frustration.
After losing the sixth game to go down 4-2, Haas couldn't take it anymore.
His voice hoarse from yelling, he then got physical by using his racquet to beat both his legs.
Haas wasn't going to be counted out as he doffed his backwards ball cap and broke back to make it 5-3.
He was down 30-0 in the previous game and then saved one match point before Davydenko hit a shot into the net, giving the game to Haas as he held off the inevitable for brief respite.
Updated on Thursday, Sep 7, 2006 7:59 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=afp-tennisusaopen&prov=afp&type=lgns
by Greg Heakes
September 7, 2006
NEW YORK (AFP) - Russia's Nikolay Davydenko reached his first US Open semi-final by rallying to defeat 14th seeded German Tommy Haas 4-6, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a five-set match.
The 25-year-old Davydenko clinched the match with a forehand blast down the middle, ending the 3hr, 45min marathon in front of a crowd of about 13,000 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Davydenko, who came back from 0-2 down for the fourth time in his career, will play the winner of a match between top seed Roger Federer and James Blake for a place in Sunday's men's final.
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He is the second Russian in the semis, joining compatriot Mikhail Youzhny, who posted a stunning upset of world number two Rafael Nadal on Wednesday. Youzhny will take on Andy Roddick in the other semi-final.
It is just the second time in the Open Era there are two Russian men in the semi-final of a Grand Slam tournament.
The German didn't give up easily, surviving one match point before finally surrendering as he struggled to hold serve in the final set.
Davydenko was ahead 5-2 and appeared to be cruising to victory when Haas staged a mini rally by taking the next two games.
The stoic Davydenko is one of the busiest players on the ATP Tour, but has had trouble closing out five setters.
This will be just the second-career Grand Slam semi-final for Davydenko who has played a tour high 75 matches and 26 tournaments this year.
Haas closed out the first set by winning 10 of the final 12 points. He broke Davydenko in the final game of the first set, clinching it when Davydenko's backhand return sailed long.
The German jumped out to an early lead in the second set tie-break. He hit a thunderous running backhand down the line that froze Davydenko, giving him a 3-0 lead.
Davydenko pulled even at 3-3 and then changed his racquet but couldn't alter his luck as Haas won the final four points to take the tie-break.
By the middle of the fourth set though, the momentum had swung in Davydenko's favour and Haas was swearing out loud in German.
In the crucial fifth set, Davydenko broke Haas in the first game to lead for the first time in the match.
With the German reeling, Davydenko broke him again the fifth game causing Haas to scream once again in frustration.
After losing the sixth game to go down 4-2, Haas couldn't take it anymore.
His voice hoarse from yelling, he then got physical by using his racquet to beat both his legs.
Haas wasn't going to be counted out as he doffed his backwards ball cap and broke back to make it 5-3.
He was down 30-0 in the previous game and then saved one match point before Davydenko hit a shot into the net, giving the game to Haas as he held off the inevitable for brief respite.
Updated on Thursday, Sep 7, 2006 7:59 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=afp-tennisusaopen&prov=afp&type=lgns
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