Davydenko: the other Russian

Davydenko: the other Russian
By Benjamin Adler
Thursday, June 2, 2005

The hard-hitting Russian in the semis at this year's French Open is not Marat Safin but lesser known compatriot Nikolay Davydenko. After wins over last year's finalist Guillermo Coria in the last sixteen and Tommy Robredo in the quarters, the world No 12 is on the threshold of his first Grand Slam final.
The win over Coria confirmed the 24 year-olds impressive form this season: he followed a quarter final berth in the Australian Open with semi-final finishes in Barcelona and Hamburg before winning in Sankt Poelten.
The shy native of Severodonezk in the Ukraine now looks to be a contender for the Masters Cup at season's end. "I'm playing well at the moment but I still have to go out and prove myself everyday. I can still do better, my game is far from perfect" he says.
Born on 2 June 1981 in the Ukraine, at just 11 Nikolay left his parents Vladimir and Tatjana behind to live with his elder brother Edouard in Volgograd. At the time, Russia seemed to offer more opportunities for a would-be tennis pro he explains to the hoards of journalists who gathered after his quarter-final win. "I stayed 4 years in Russia. Edouard worked as a tennis coach for kids and we practiced together. He pushed me pretty hard. At 15 we left for Germany. A Russian who lived there convinced Edouard it would be better for me. In Europe I could play more tournaments than in Russia."
Aussie breakthrough
Although he would be 18 before he was granted Russian citizenship, the now Monaco resident soon defended his adopted country's colours in the Davis Cup. After his 4th ATP tour win in Moscow in 2004 he was warmly congratulated by former president and tennis aficionado Boris Eltsine.
A pro since 1999, Nikolay first caught the public eye when he took a set off Pat Rafter in the second round at the Australian Open. He also won his first ATP tour victory in Australia in 2003 in Adelaïde. In three years he has climbed out of Marat Safin's shodow from 85th to 12th in the world rankings. And he will surely climb even higher if he overcomes unseeded Mariano Puerto on Friday to reach the French Open final on what is his favourite surface.
Translation: David Spratt (Sportstranslations)
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2005-06-02/200506021117722564639.html