DAVYDENKO ENDS MELZER RUN

ATP TOUR 2005

DAVYDENKO ENDS MELZER RUN

Russian Nikolay Davydenko ruined Jurgen Melzer's great week by overcoming a poor second set to defeat the Austrian 6-3 2-6 6-4 to win the International Raiffeisen Grand Prix on Saturday.
Davydenko held a 3-0 lead in the decisive set, but Melzer fought back to win the next three games. The players held serve until the Russian broke Melzer's serve in the final game.
"I came back from 3-0 down in the third set but unfortunately he didn't let me use the momentum and he played great tennis," Melzer said.
Fourth-seeded 23-year-old Melzer was aiming for his first career ATP title. His only prior final came at Newport two years ago.
Davydenko, who had not dropped a set in winning his first four matches here, won his fifth ATP tournament overall and first this year.
"It feels great to finally win a first trophy this year," Davydenko said.
"This final was really difficult but I am feeling great at the moment and my confidence level is good, which is the most important thing."
The Russian, who won events at Munich and Moscow in 2004, lost in the final here to American Andy Roddick in 2003.
In their only previous encounter, at Monte Carlo last month, the 23-year-old Davydenko beat Melzer in the first round 5-7 6-1 6-3.
Both players are heading to Paris to the French Open, which begins on Monday.
"Before Roland Garros this is great for the confidence, although it is a little bit hard physically," Davydenko said.
"The day after tomorrow I could be playing my first round in Paris, and it doesn't give me much time to celebrate and fully recover from this week."
"This is definitely a great week and a confidence boost before the Roland Garros, but it also means a lack of fitness in Paris," Melzer said.
"I played many matches this week, a lot of three setters and both singles and doubles, it is a lot of matches."


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