Puerta sneaks past Davydenko into final

Puerta sneaks past Davydenko into final
By Andrew Bogush
Friday, June 3, 2005
Mariana Puerta clearly has a flair for the dramatic. The 26-year-old is headed to his first career Grand Slam final after his second straight come-from-behind five-set victory.
The lefty, ranked 37th in the world, awaits Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal in Sunday's French Open final after a 6-3 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-4 defeat of 12th-seeded Nickolay Davydenko in front of a capacity crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier. Puerta is the third Argentine in two years and the tenth unseeded male to play for the Coupe des Mousquetaires.
Just like his quarterfinal tilt with compatriot Guillermo Canas, Puerta took the first set rather impressively on Friday, only to lose his form and end up down two sets to one. But once again he found his game, while Davydenko slumped, and pulled out the victory.
"Is amazing. I can't believe this. This moment is just - it's amazing. I can't believe this," confessed Puerta.
"Fifth set for me, yeah, I thinking I lose already match because I feeling I have no chance then to just to beat him," Davydenko admitted.
When the draw came out two Fridays ago, a confident Puerta predicted a run to the semi-finals as long as he got by Ivan Ljubicic, the 13th seed, in the first round. Few others shared that confidence, however, since Roland Garros is just his third Tour-level event since last summer and because he had never passed the third round here before. But Puerta, playing true clay court tennis, has now made good on his word and then some.
"I work really, really hard," Puerta said. "Six, seven hours a day. Don't stop. Sundays also."
He needed some help from Davydenko, though, to make his prediction reality. The Russian, who celebrated his 24th birthday Thursday, recovered from losing the first set on the strength of his first serve and smartly aggressive play. From 1-2 in the second through 3-1 in the third, Davydenko held seven consecutive times, losing just six points along the way.
But like his last match against Spaniard Tommy Robredo, Davydenko's level dropped after winning the third set. His first serve no longer as dominant a weapon, Puerta dug deeper into points and rediscovered his range on his groundstrokes. And just as he did against Robredo, Davydenko stumbled Friday with victory on the horizon, unable to hold at 4-2 in the fifth, and this time it cost him.
"I play fast in the second, third set. I'm moving good. Everything play good," Davydenko tried to explain his collapse. "Then he try to make long rally. I just was tired."
Puerta ran off the final four games of the match, clinching his trip to the final with a penetrating inside-out forehand approach that Davydenko barely touched.
Asked if he can win Sunday, Puerta responded: "I don't know. I'm not sure. But I'm very happy with this final."