Yet another comeback for Puerta on his way to the final
By JEROME PUGMIRE, AP Sports
WriterJune 3, 2005
PARIS (AP) -- Accustomed to comebacks, Mariano Puerta staged another one in the French Open semifinals on Friday.
The unseeded left-hander from Argentina rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the final set to beat Nikolay Davydenko of Russia 6-3, 5-7, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Puerta has climbed to 37th in the rankings from 440th last August. And now, playing in his first major event since serving a nine-month doping suspension, he has reached the first Grand Slam final in his nine-year career.
Puerta's opponent on Sunday will be Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who beat top-ranked Roger Federer 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
``I had two years when I was almost out of the circuit,'' Puerta said. ``I can't believe that on Sunday I'm going to play the final of Roland Garros. I don't even know how to explain that.''
Puerta's suspension began in October 2003 after he tested positive for clenbuterol, a drug whose effects resemble those of anabolic steroids by promoting muscle growth. An investigative panel determined a doctor prescribed the drug to Puerta to treat asthma.
Now, at 26, he's playing the best tennis of his life.
``I work really hard, six, seven hours a day. I don't stop. Sunday also,'' Puerta said. ``When I came back, I was prepared for very tough moments, to play anywhere. I was ready to sacrifice. I never complained about anything. I was humble and prepared to overcome any barrier.''
Puerta gives Roland Garros an unseeded men's finalist for the third year in a row. Last year, unseeded Argentine compatriot Gaston Gaudio won the title. Dutchman Martin Verkerk was runner-up in 2003.
Puerta's rally in the semifinals was assisted by Davydenko, who was pessimistic even before taking a late lead.
``At the start of the fifth set I was thinking I would lose, feeling I have no chance to beat him,'' Davydenko said. ``I was losing from the baseline, losing control of games, losing every time.''
The Russian made no excuses for losing the final four games.
``I had no match point. I had problems all the time,'' Davydenko said. ``I was losing, losing, losing, losing. Like from 100 percent to zero. I cannot do anything. He just make topspin, forehand, backhand. For me ... nothing.''
Davydenko, a wiry athlete with good technique, was faster around the court and had the better serve. He served 11 aces and three double-faults to one ace and nine double-faults for Puerta.
``It's not enough,'' a somber Davydenko said.
Puerta's mood was understandably much lighter.
``I'm in paradise,'' he said. ``I'm the happiest man on earth right now.''
Friday, June 03, 2005
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."
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."
Day 12 - Nicolay Davydenko Interview
Day 12 - Nicolay Davydenko Interview
Friday, June 3, 2005
Q. You were up two sets to one. Again, you were up one break in the fifth set. Finally you lost. It could be a little frustrating for you.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, it's not frustrating because it's really ‑‑ really difficult because it's not like only, you know, like should be I win this match 'cause only it was for two. It was not like ‑‑ I had no match point. And he play well. He just moving better. He play from baseline better. And I have all time problem.
It was not like, say ‑‑ okay, was confidence he have better today. I try something to run, like something to fight, but it was difficult. It was for me like, yeah, say, difficult.
Q. Could you be more precise? What kind of difficulties was it? The control of the ball?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, because I'm already tired and moving every ball, this was difficult, yeah. And like then I try something to make winners and also to control ball also was not so easy. I make many mistake then.
Already he just try to just play forehand, backhand, topspin, is for me. And then just make difficult control from his ball. Like I make mistakes, few mistake. That's it. I lose some game.
Q. It was a very close game, close match. You were nearly winning this game.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, you know, for me was good. I play fast in the second, third set. I'm moving good. Everything play good. Then he try make long rally. I just was tired. You know, just try too fast, but was already slow. In the fifth set, it was slow. For him, this was perfect. He just make topspin, forehand, backhand. That's it. For me, it was nothing.
Q. So maybe it was a problem of you were tiring because you played a lot of games, because you played something like 10 games in the last three weeks, that's correct?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. But, you know, it was really difficult today match. I started already from first set. I didn't thinking I can win easy, no. Second, third set, yeah. It was difficult for me second set to win. I just break only one game. And then I was pushing in the third set. This was for me, I'm surprised. I win easy.
And then he try again in the fourth, and was for him is better. You know, he just ‑‑ today he play better than me. From baseline he was better for, like, say sometimes I make winners, but is not enough to beat him tonight.
Q. Was the wind a problem for you?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Problem it's moving. It's difficult to move of center court, you know. It was really slippery in clay court, yeah. And he make topspin, forehand, backhand. Now he's moving, now he play me a forehand or backhand, I'm slippery, go outside from the court. Then he play from another side, that's it. I have no chance to move.
It was really difficult. It was if I play faster, he have no chance. If I play a little bit slow, he have chance to beat me easy.
Q. Today we saw you have a very good serve.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, because I have nothing to do any time concentration something different, just to play maybe like good serve to make and I was okay. Just make few serve. Then I was tired in the fifth, I cannot make any first serve already.
Fifth set I cannot do anything. 'Cause I already started about 2‑All, like I was surprised to win this game about 4‑2. And then my serve, you know, it was normal. For me was normal I losing this serve 4‑3 because it was difficult already in the fifth set.
Q. Was it a problem of you were nervous? You were very close to be in the first final in a Grand Slam. >
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, no. It was really feeling already start in fifth set. I losing my control by games. I losing from baseline, long rally. I losing everything. You know, if he just try to play long, I losing every time. And I just try to keep some like short points just to make winner, something to make easy for me. But this was difficult in a clay court.
Q. What happened to his serve in the third set? He was losing a lot on his serve. Did you notice that?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Is sometimes, you know, like you feeling good, you just pushing like everything your body perfect, the serve. You know, you go, just try concentration everything first serve, you make good serve. Then really already just running too much, you know, tired. You try also to make serve, but is not happen. Is difficult.
Q. You had a great tournament. Third in the race. You must be satisfied overall.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, okay. For me is good, yeah, in Top 10. But, okay, I say today is bad luck for me because this was close, yeah. This match was really close. But, okay, say not ‑‑ like fifth set for me, yeah, I thinking I lose already match because I feeling I have no chance then to just to beat him.
Q. Next you are going to play on grass. You have never won a game on grass. You will try?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I go to the Wimbledon preparation before one week.
Q. After there will be the Davis Cup against France. You could be the leader because you are very strong on clay. We saw that. What do you expect for that?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't like five‑set matches. It's only Davis Cup to be also play like here five sets. I will see.
Q. Why did you think you'd lost the match in the fifth set? Is it because you were tired?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, because in two sets ‑‑ in the fourth set it was something, yeah ‑‑ you know, you play ‑‑ I try to play the same, everything the same, like second set, third set. Fourth set play the same, but it was already slow. I just try to push ball, but it was already slow. For him it's okay.
Fifth set I feeling I losing more control like more mistake, yeah. If I try to play there, I try to play baseline good, or cross along line, that's it, I losing control and I make mistake. Was happen in the fifth set, I cannot do anything.
Q. How were you physically at that point?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Physically in the fifth set I was maximum. Just try to play how I can. I just do everything what I can do. But this was not enough.
Q. You played excellent match. It was 11‑1 in aces for you. 7‑1 in double‑faults for him. Really you had this chance in the fifth set. What you actually missed was a couple of short balls that you really didn't play well, which seem even as easy balls, so probably that's the key you miss.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, was also 4‑3 and he serving. I have also chance to be 5‑3. But I make, you know, like just ‑‑ like maximum concentration, but I can't do. Like I try to make winner and I can't. Just everything what I want to do, I can't. In this point, I can't do anything. And I was losing, losing, losing, losing, and try to concentration and just every ball, but is losing, you know.
Like from up go hundred percent down of zero. That's it. I cannot do anything. This was difficult.
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/interviews/2005-06-03/200506031117817319038.html
Friday, June 3, 2005
Q. You were up two sets to one. Again, you were up one break in the fifth set. Finally you lost. It could be a little frustrating for you.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, it's not frustrating because it's really ‑‑ really difficult because it's not like only, you know, like should be I win this match 'cause only it was for two. It was not like ‑‑ I had no match point. And he play well. He just moving better. He play from baseline better. And I have all time problem.
It was not like, say ‑‑ okay, was confidence he have better today. I try something to run, like something to fight, but it was difficult. It was for me like, yeah, say, difficult.
Q. Could you be more precise? What kind of difficulties was it? The control of the ball?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, because I'm already tired and moving every ball, this was difficult, yeah. And like then I try something to make winners and also to control ball also was not so easy. I make many mistake then.
Already he just try to just play forehand, backhand, topspin, is for me. And then just make difficult control from his ball. Like I make mistakes, few mistake. That's it. I lose some game.
Q. It was a very close game, close match. You were nearly winning this game.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, you know, for me was good. I play fast in the second, third set. I'm moving good. Everything play good. Then he try make long rally. I just was tired. You know, just try too fast, but was already slow. In the fifth set, it was slow. For him, this was perfect. He just make topspin, forehand, backhand. That's it. For me, it was nothing.
Q. So maybe it was a problem of you were tiring because you played a lot of games, because you played something like 10 games in the last three weeks, that's correct?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. But, you know, it was really difficult today match. I started already from first set. I didn't thinking I can win easy, no. Second, third set, yeah. It was difficult for me second set to win. I just break only one game. And then I was pushing in the third set. This was for me, I'm surprised. I win easy.
And then he try again in the fourth, and was for him is better. You know, he just ‑‑ today he play better than me. From baseline he was better for, like, say sometimes I make winners, but is not enough to beat him tonight.
Q. Was the wind a problem for you?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Problem it's moving. It's difficult to move of center court, you know. It was really slippery in clay court, yeah. And he make topspin, forehand, backhand. Now he's moving, now he play me a forehand or backhand, I'm slippery, go outside from the court. Then he play from another side, that's it. I have no chance to move.
It was really difficult. It was if I play faster, he have no chance. If I play a little bit slow, he have chance to beat me easy.
Q. Today we saw you have a very good serve.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, because I have nothing to do any time concentration something different, just to play maybe like good serve to make and I was okay. Just make few serve. Then I was tired in the fifth, I cannot make any first serve already.
Fifth set I cannot do anything. 'Cause I already started about 2‑All, like I was surprised to win this game about 4‑2. And then my serve, you know, it was normal. For me was normal I losing this serve 4‑3 because it was difficult already in the fifth set.
Q. Was it a problem of you were nervous? You were very close to be in the first final in a Grand Slam. >
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, no. It was really feeling already start in fifth set. I losing my control by games. I losing from baseline, long rally. I losing everything. You know, if he just try to play long, I losing every time. And I just try to keep some like short points just to make winner, something to make easy for me. But this was difficult in a clay court.
Q. What happened to his serve in the third set? He was losing a lot on his serve. Did you notice that?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Is sometimes, you know, like you feeling good, you just pushing like everything your body perfect, the serve. You know, you go, just try concentration everything first serve, you make good serve. Then really already just running too much, you know, tired. You try also to make serve, but is not happen. Is difficult.
Q. You had a great tournament. Third in the race. You must be satisfied overall.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, okay. For me is good, yeah, in Top 10. But, okay, I say today is bad luck for me because this was close, yeah. This match was really close. But, okay, say not ‑‑ like fifth set for me, yeah, I thinking I lose already match because I feeling I have no chance then to just to beat him.
Q. Next you are going to play on grass. You have never won a game on grass. You will try?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I go to the Wimbledon preparation before one week.
Q. After there will be the Davis Cup against France. You could be the leader because you are very strong on clay. We saw that. What do you expect for that?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't like five‑set matches. It's only Davis Cup to be also play like here five sets. I will see.
Q. Why did you think you'd lost the match in the fifth set? Is it because you were tired?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, because in two sets ‑‑ in the fourth set it was something, yeah ‑‑ you know, you play ‑‑ I try to play the same, everything the same, like second set, third set. Fourth set play the same, but it was already slow. I just try to push ball, but it was already slow. For him it's okay.
Fifth set I feeling I losing more control like more mistake, yeah. If I try to play there, I try to play baseline good, or cross along line, that's it, I losing control and I make mistake. Was happen in the fifth set, I cannot do anything.
Q. How were you physically at that point?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Physically in the fifth set I was maximum. Just try to play how I can. I just do everything what I can do. But this was not enough.
Q. You played excellent match. It was 11‑1 in aces for you. 7‑1 in double‑faults for him. Really you had this chance in the fifth set. What you actually missed was a couple of short balls that you really didn't play well, which seem even as easy balls, so probably that's the key you miss.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, was also 4‑3 and he serving. I have also chance to be 5‑3. But I make, you know, like just ‑‑ like maximum concentration, but I can't do. Like I try to make winner and I can't. Just everything what I want to do, I can't. In this point, I can't do anything. And I was losing, losing, losing, losing, and try to concentration and just every ball, but is losing, you know.
Like from up go hundred percent down of zero. That's it. I cannot do anything. This was difficult.
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/interviews/2005-06-03/200506031117817319038.html
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Davydenko-Puerta: tough to call
Davydenko-Puerta: tough to call
By Georges Homsi
Thursday, June 2, 2005
Mariano Puerta and Nicolay Davydenko (n°12) the two surprise packages of the 2005 French Open will dispute their first Grand Slam semi-final this Friday...A tough match to call.
Nicolay Davydenko hit the Paris clay fresh from an impressive win at Sankt Pölten. And his form has stayed with him through ten days of testing opposition, most notably with victories in the second week over last year's semi-finalist Guillermo Coria and a quarter-final victory in five sets over Tommy Robredo who had earlier overturned compatriot Marat Safin. A final berth will be the birthday present he is wishing for the day after he turns 24.
Mariano Puerta is disputing his first Grand Slam tournament since the 2003 US Open. After serving a 9th month suspension for using banned substances, he returned to the tour in July 2004 ranked 440th in the world. The Argentinian has climbed back steadily over the last year, winning on clay in Casablanca in April after losing out to Gaston Gaudio in the final in Buenos Aires in February. Here in Paris he has impressed with wins over in-form Ivan Ljubicic in the first round, compatriot Jose Acasuso in the last sixteen and Guillermo Canas in five hard fought sets in the quarters.
Davydenko has shown he can trade shots and stay the distance on clay. Like compatriot Yevgueny Kafelnikov he takes the ball early and can hit forehand winners with alarming ease. He'll need to be firing on all cyclinders against Puerta who will certainly try to keep him on his back foot.
Puerta, the chunky southpaw, will be relying on his terrifying forehand to wreak havoc down on the Russian. His heavy topspin drives, one-handed cross-court backhand and idiosyncratic scissor service will also keep Davydenko guessing.
The two players have only crossed paths once; in Hamburg, last month on clay, when the Russian emerged victorious in two sets (7-5 6-3).
Translation: David Spratt (Sportstranslations)
By Georges Homsi
Thursday, June 2, 2005
Mariano Puerta and Nicolay Davydenko (n°12) the two surprise packages of the 2005 French Open will dispute their first Grand Slam semi-final this Friday...A tough match to call.
Nicolay Davydenko hit the Paris clay fresh from an impressive win at Sankt Pölten. And his form has stayed with him through ten days of testing opposition, most notably with victories in the second week over last year's semi-finalist Guillermo Coria and a quarter-final victory in five sets over Tommy Robredo who had earlier overturned compatriot Marat Safin. A final berth will be the birthday present he is wishing for the day after he turns 24.
Mariano Puerta is disputing his first Grand Slam tournament since the 2003 US Open. After serving a 9th month suspension for using banned substances, he returned to the tour in July 2004 ranked 440th in the world. The Argentinian has climbed back steadily over the last year, winning on clay in Casablanca in April after losing out to Gaston Gaudio in the final in Buenos Aires in February. Here in Paris he has impressed with wins over in-form Ivan Ljubicic in the first round, compatriot Jose Acasuso in the last sixteen and Guillermo Canas in five hard fought sets in the quarters.
Davydenko has shown he can trade shots and stay the distance on clay. Like compatriot Yevgueny Kafelnikov he takes the ball early and can hit forehand winners with alarming ease. He'll need to be firing on all cyclinders against Puerta who will certainly try to keep him on his back foot.
Puerta, the chunky southpaw, will be relying on his terrifying forehand to wreak havoc down on the Russian. His heavy topspin drives, one-handed cross-court backhand and idiosyncratic scissor service will also keep Davydenko guessing.
The two players have only crossed paths once; in Hamburg, last month on clay, when the Russian emerged victorious in two sets (7-5 6-3).
Translation: David Spratt (Sportstranslations)
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
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
Davydenko celebrates 24th birthday early
from eurosport.com
Davydenko celebrates 24th birthday early
Nikolay Davydenko gave himself an early birthday present with victory over Spain's Tommy Robredo at the French Open on Wednesday. The Russian 12th seed, who celebrates his 24th birthday on Thursday, triumphed 3-6 6-1 6-2 4-6 6-4 for a semi-final meeting with Argentine Mariano Puerta at Roland GarrosRE-LIVE ROLAND GARROS: Davydenko v Robredo"First time in the semi-finals of a grand slam, first time in the top 10 [when rankings are released on Monday] - this is my birthday present," he said."Right now I'm tired but tomorrow I'll realise what has happened and it will feel good."Both Davydenko and Robredo struggled to hold serve throughout the three-hour 18-minute encounter on centre court.In their first meeting since competing in a Seville Challenger five years ago, Robredo started in aggressive fashion buoyed with confidence from beating Marat Safin in round four.But the Spaniard's early initiative was eroded in the second set as Davydenko clawed his way back with Robredo failing to hold serve in the second set.Davydenko, who appeared in the Australian Open quarter-finals in January, continued to command the net and looked to be on for a four set victory.But 23-year-old Robredo adopted a defensive game and harried his Russian opponent into error.The pair traded early breaks in the decisive set before Davydenko managed the telling one in the seventh game. Robredo survived three match points on his serve two games later but the Russian then served for the match and earned a fourth, with the Spaniard hitting a forehand wide to bow out."I had to fight for every ball," said the Russian. "He's better than me from the baseline so it was real tough."
Davydenko celebrates 24th birthday early
Nikolay Davydenko gave himself an early birthday present with victory over Spain's Tommy Robredo at the French Open on Wednesday. The Russian 12th seed, who celebrates his 24th birthday on Thursday, triumphed 3-6 6-1 6-2 4-6 6-4 for a semi-final meeting with Argentine Mariano Puerta at Roland GarrosRE-LIVE ROLAND GARROS: Davydenko v Robredo"First time in the semi-finals of a grand slam, first time in the top 10 [when rankings are released on Monday] - this is my birthday present," he said."Right now I'm tired but tomorrow I'll realise what has happened and it will feel good."Both Davydenko and Robredo struggled to hold serve throughout the three-hour 18-minute encounter on centre court.In their first meeting since competing in a Seville Challenger five years ago, Robredo started in aggressive fashion buoyed with confidence from beating Marat Safin in round four.But the Spaniard's early initiative was eroded in the second set as Davydenko clawed his way back with Robredo failing to hold serve in the second set.Davydenko, who appeared in the Australian Open quarter-finals in January, continued to command the net and looked to be on for a four set victory.But 23-year-old Robredo adopted a defensive game and harried his Russian opponent into error.The pair traded early breaks in the decisive set before Davydenko managed the telling one in the seventh game. Robredo survived three match points on his serve two games later but the Russian then served for the match and earned a fourth, with the Spaniard hitting a forehand wide to bow out."I had to fight for every ball," said the Russian. "He's better than me from the baseline so it was real tough."
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Russia's Nikolay Davydenko outguns Spaniard Tommy Robredo
PARIS, June 1 (Reuters) - Russia's Nikolay Davydenko outgunned Spaniard Tommy Robredo 3-6 6-1 6-2 4-6 6-4 in a tight contest on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals of the French Open.Davydenko, the 12th seed, will now meet unseeded Mariano Puerta, who won the battle of the Argentines when he beat Guillermo Canas 6-2 3-6 1-6 6-3 6-4 earlier in the day.The Russian, who turns 24 on Thursday, advanced to the semi-finals of a grand slam tournament for the first time and made sure of entering the top 10 when the new rankings are released on Monday."First time in the semi-finals of a grand slam, first time in the top 10 -- this is my birthday present," he said."Right now I'm tired but tomorrow I'll realise what has happened and it will feel good."The two players, who struggled to hold serve throughout the match, had traded early breaks in the decisive set before Davydenko managed the telling one in the seventh game.Robredo, seeded 15th, survived three match points on his serve two games later but the Russian then served for the match and earned a fourth, with the Spaniard hitting a forehand wide to bow out after three hours and 18 minutes of play.A quarter-finalist at this year' Australian Open, Davydenko had never progressed beyond the second round in four previous visits to Roland Garros.However, the Russian with the fierce two-handed backhand had warned he could be dangerous when he ousted last year's runner-up Guillermo Coria of Argentina in the previous round.Robredo, a quarter-finalist here two years ago, failed to disappoint the Russian fans yet again having beaten Marat Safin in five sets in the fourth round.The 23-year-old Spaniard lived up to his reputation as a fighter but Davydenko never gave up and came out on top."I had to fight for every ball," said the Russian. "He's better than me from the baseline so it was real tough."
Davydenko outlasts Robredo for SF berth
Davydenko outlasts Robredo for SF berth
By Andrew Bogusch
Wednesday, June 1, 2005
Seventy-eight unforced errors, six double-faults and a late resurgence from Tommy Robredo could not keep Nickolay Davydenko from the first Grand Slam semi-final of his career Wednesday evening.A day before his 24th birthday, Davydenko built a two-sets-to-one lead as Robredo sleep-walked through the early portions of the match, only to see the Spaniard charge back to force a fifth set. But the Russian finally closed him out on his fourth match point for a 3-6 6-1 6-2 4-6 6-4 victory in three hours, 18 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier."Feeling is…I don't know," said an exhausted Davydenko. "Like, after the match is like really tired. No feeling."Tomorrow I have birthday, 24, and we'll see. Tomorrow okay, no match."Davydenko failed in his only other attempt to reach a major semi earlier this year at the Australian Open. Down in the third set to Andy Rodthingy, he was forced to retire because of breathing problems stemming from the intense heat.And it looked like he might falter once again on Wednesday. He easily took the second and third sets as Robredo played listless and careless tennis, but allowed the 15-seed to hang around in the fourth when he did not hold up a break at 4-3. At 4-5, consecutive errors cost him another service game and the set, and Robredo was back in the match to stay.In the fifth, Davydenko squandered an early break to let the 23-year-old off the hook again. When he could not convert three match points returning at 5-3, Robredo still had a pulse. And that pulse got stronger when back-to-back errors left him one point from 5-all.But finally, on match point number four, Davydenko got his win on a rushed, over-hit backhand down the line from Robredo."[The] key, it was fighting, fighting. Like try to get every ball," Davydenko said. "Just try to do something what you can do because Robredo play well from baseline."Davydenko will move into the Top 10 for the first time ever Monday when the new rankings come out after his tenth straight victory and the 14th out of his last 15 matches.Robredo, meanwhile, possibly still feeling the effects of his five-set upset of Marat Safin two days ago, committed 85 unforced errors and provided Davydenko with 29 break points. His shot selection was often ill advised, especially on drop shots, and the emotion which carried him at times against Safin was non-existent until the fifth set."I have to see all the tournament, not just one day," said Robredo, who was also trying to reach his first career Slam semi. "I'm playing a lot of better and doing great matches. I did a great tournament here anyway."Friday, in his first Grand Slam final four, Davydenko faces Argentine Mariano Puerta, a five-set winner as well Wednesday. The two played in Hamburg in mid-May with the Russian winning in straight sets.
www.rolandgarros.com
By Andrew Bogusch
Wednesday, June 1, 2005
Seventy-eight unforced errors, six double-faults and a late resurgence from Tommy Robredo could not keep Nickolay Davydenko from the first Grand Slam semi-final of his career Wednesday evening.A day before his 24th birthday, Davydenko built a two-sets-to-one lead as Robredo sleep-walked through the early portions of the match, only to see the Spaniard charge back to force a fifth set. But the Russian finally closed him out on his fourth match point for a 3-6 6-1 6-2 4-6 6-4 victory in three hours, 18 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier."Feeling is…I don't know," said an exhausted Davydenko. "Like, after the match is like really tired. No feeling."Tomorrow I have birthday, 24, and we'll see. Tomorrow okay, no match."Davydenko failed in his only other attempt to reach a major semi earlier this year at the Australian Open. Down in the third set to Andy Rodthingy, he was forced to retire because of breathing problems stemming from the intense heat.And it looked like he might falter once again on Wednesday. He easily took the second and third sets as Robredo played listless and careless tennis, but allowed the 15-seed to hang around in the fourth when he did not hold up a break at 4-3. At 4-5, consecutive errors cost him another service game and the set, and Robredo was back in the match to stay.In the fifth, Davydenko squandered an early break to let the 23-year-old off the hook again. When he could not convert three match points returning at 5-3, Robredo still had a pulse. And that pulse got stronger when back-to-back errors left him one point from 5-all.But finally, on match point number four, Davydenko got his win on a rushed, over-hit backhand down the line from Robredo."[The] key, it was fighting, fighting. Like try to get every ball," Davydenko said. "Just try to do something what you can do because Robredo play well from baseline."Davydenko will move into the Top 10 for the first time ever Monday when the new rankings come out after his tenth straight victory and the 14th out of his last 15 matches.Robredo, meanwhile, possibly still feeling the effects of his five-set upset of Marat Safin two days ago, committed 85 unforced errors and provided Davydenko with 29 break points. His shot selection was often ill advised, especially on drop shots, and the emotion which carried him at times against Safin was non-existent until the fifth set."I have to see all the tournament, not just one day," said Robredo, who was also trying to reach his first career Slam semi. "I'm playing a lot of better and doing great matches. I did a great tournament here anyway."Friday, in his first Grand Slam final four, Davydenko faces Argentine Mariano Puerta, a five-set winner as well Wednesday. The two played in Hamburg in mid-May with the Russian winning in straight sets.
www.rolandgarros.com
Davydenko, Puerta reach French Open semifinals Wednesday
Davydenko, Puerta reach French Open semifinals Wednesday
June 1, 2005
PARIS (Ticker) - Nikolay Davydenko was able to accomplish something fellow Russian Marat Safin could not - outlast Spaniard Tommy Robredo in a five-set French Open thriller.
Davydenko, the 12th seed, edged No. 15 Robredo on Wednesday, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in 3 hours, 18 minutes, to advance to his first Grand Slam semifinal.
The third-seeded Safin lost to Mariano Puerta in the fourth round on Monday, 8-6 in the fifth set.
Davydenko - who turns 24 on Thursday - will face Puerta in a most unlikely semifinal at Roland Garros on Friday. Earlier Wednesday, the unseeded Puerta bested fellow Argentine Guillermo Canas, the ninth seed, 6-2, 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, to reach the penultimate round and continue his finest Grand Slam run.
"Well, it's something very special to find yourself in the semifinals," the 26-year-old Puerta said. "When I got to Paris two weeks ago today, I had the idea I was going to make it to the second week. It's something that I can't even realize yet. I can't believe I've reached the semifinals, and I really want to enjoy this moment and prepare myself the best possible for the best semifinals."
In the second quarterfinal Wednesday, Davydenko was up a break at 4-3 in the fourth set but promptly lost the next three games, two on his serve.
In a wild fifth set, the Russian jumped out to a 2-0 lead, lost the next three games, then won the next three to grab a 5-3 advantage. He blew three match points in the ninth game before saving two break points in the final game. Davydenko finally won the match when the 23-year-old Robredo sent a backhand wide after a long rally.
"In the fifth set, well, it was 3-3, then there was a break," Robredo said. He wasn't feeling so well. Me neither. But I was probably feeling better than him at that point. I think that would have been the key to the match, really. I tried to make the break, and then in the end, he made the break. And I tried to break back, but it got a little complicated for me."
"(The) key, it was fighting, fighting. Like try to fight every ball," Davydenko said. "Just try to do something what you can do, because Robredo play well from baseline. He just could move."
Davydenko, who claimed the title at the claycourt event in St. Poelten in Austria two weeks ago, has won 10 straight matches and 14 of his last 15.
"(I'm) feeling something happy, yes, because first time in a semifinal in a Grand Slam," Davydenko said. "I reach Top 10 now in ranking."
Robredo never has faced Davydenko in a Tour-level event, though he posted a 6-1, 6-3 triumph over the Russian in a Challenger event in Seville five years ago...
Updated on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 2:39 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=3frenchopen&prov=st&type=lgns
June 1, 2005
PARIS (Ticker) - Nikolay Davydenko was able to accomplish something fellow Russian Marat Safin could not - outlast Spaniard Tommy Robredo in a five-set French Open thriller.
Davydenko, the 12th seed, edged No. 15 Robredo on Wednesday, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in 3 hours, 18 minutes, to advance to his first Grand Slam semifinal.
The third-seeded Safin lost to Mariano Puerta in the fourth round on Monday, 8-6 in the fifth set.
Davydenko - who turns 24 on Thursday - will face Puerta in a most unlikely semifinal at Roland Garros on Friday. Earlier Wednesday, the unseeded Puerta bested fellow Argentine Guillermo Canas, the ninth seed, 6-2, 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, to reach the penultimate round and continue his finest Grand Slam run.
"Well, it's something very special to find yourself in the semifinals," the 26-year-old Puerta said. "When I got to Paris two weeks ago today, I had the idea I was going to make it to the second week. It's something that I can't even realize yet. I can't believe I've reached the semifinals, and I really want to enjoy this moment and prepare myself the best possible for the best semifinals."
In the second quarterfinal Wednesday, Davydenko was up a break at 4-3 in the fourth set but promptly lost the next three games, two on his serve.
In a wild fifth set, the Russian jumped out to a 2-0 lead, lost the next three games, then won the next three to grab a 5-3 advantage. He blew three match points in the ninth game before saving two break points in the final game. Davydenko finally won the match when the 23-year-old Robredo sent a backhand wide after a long rally.
"In the fifth set, well, it was 3-3, then there was a break," Robredo said. He wasn't feeling so well. Me neither. But I was probably feeling better than him at that point. I think that would have been the key to the match, really. I tried to make the break, and then in the end, he made the break. And I tried to break back, but it got a little complicated for me."
"(The) key, it was fighting, fighting. Like try to fight every ball," Davydenko said. "Just try to do something what you can do, because Robredo play well from baseline. He just could move."
Davydenko, who claimed the title at the claycourt event in St. Poelten in Austria two weeks ago, has won 10 straight matches and 14 of his last 15.
"(I'm) feeling something happy, yes, because first time in a semifinal in a Grand Slam," Davydenko said. "I reach Top 10 now in ranking."
Robredo never has faced Davydenko in a Tour-level event, though he posted a 6-1, 6-3 triumph over the Russian in a Challenger event in Seville five years ago...
Updated on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 2:39 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=3frenchopen&prov=st&type=lgns
Once Banned for Drugs, Argentina's Puerta reaches French semis against rising Russian
Once banned for drugs, Argentina's Puerta reaches French semis against rising Russian
By STEVE WILSTEIN, AP Sports WriterJune 1, 2005
AP - Jun 1, 2:33 pm EDTMore PhotosPARIS (AP) -- Shouts of bravo mingled with expressions of surprise as unseeded Mariano Puerta, an Argentine back from a nine-month drug suspension, and Nikolay Davydenko, a Russian on the rise, set up an unlikely French Open semifinal.
After nearly seven hours of tennis in a pair of five-set marathons Wednesday, Puerta and Davydenko emerged the weary winners who will face each other Friday for a spot in the final against the winner of the more celebrated semifinal between No. 1 Roger Federer and No. 4 Rafael Nadal.
Puerta outlasted No. 9 compatriot Guillermo Canas, 6-2, 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a 3-hour, 35-minute match that was like an intense Argentine Davis Cup practice. The No. 12-seeded Davydenko gave himself a birthday present the day before he turns 24 by edging No. 15 Tommy Robredo 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in 3 hours, 18 minutes...
Neither Puerta nor Davydenko has ever gone so far in a Grand Slam event. Puerta's best showing in a major before this was getting to the third round of the French in 200O. Davydenko also hadn't gone past the third round of a major until he reached the quarters of the Australian Open in January, where he retired with an injury in the third set against Andy Roddick.
Now the Russian is into the semis at Roland Garros with 10 consecutive wins, including a fourth-round upset of last year's runner-up, Guillermo Coria.
``The key, it was fighting, fighting,'' Davydenko said of his struggle past Robredo. ``Like try to fight every ball. He was really difficult to play. Every point I was feeling tired, tired.''
Updated on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 4:44 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ap-frenchopen&prov=ap&type=lgns
By STEVE WILSTEIN, AP Sports WriterJune 1, 2005
AP - Jun 1, 2:33 pm EDTMore PhotosPARIS (AP) -- Shouts of bravo mingled with expressions of surprise as unseeded Mariano Puerta, an Argentine back from a nine-month drug suspension, and Nikolay Davydenko, a Russian on the rise, set up an unlikely French Open semifinal.
After nearly seven hours of tennis in a pair of five-set marathons Wednesday, Puerta and Davydenko emerged the weary winners who will face each other Friday for a spot in the final against the winner of the more celebrated semifinal between No. 1 Roger Federer and No. 4 Rafael Nadal.
Puerta outlasted No. 9 compatriot Guillermo Canas, 6-2, 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a 3-hour, 35-minute match that was like an intense Argentine Davis Cup practice. The No. 12-seeded Davydenko gave himself a birthday present the day before he turns 24 by edging No. 15 Tommy Robredo 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in 3 hours, 18 minutes...
Neither Puerta nor Davydenko has ever gone so far in a Grand Slam event. Puerta's best showing in a major before this was getting to the third round of the French in 200O. Davydenko also hadn't gone past the third round of a major until he reached the quarters of the Australian Open in January, where he retired with an injury in the third set against Andy Roddick.
Now the Russian is into the semis at Roland Garros with 10 consecutive wins, including a fourth-round upset of last year's runner-up, Guillermo Coria.
``The key, it was fighting, fighting,'' Davydenko said of his struggle past Robredo. ``Like try to fight every ball. He was really difficult to play. Every point I was feeling tired, tired.''
Updated on Wednesday, Jun 1, 2005 4:44 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ap-frenchopen&prov=ap&type=lgns
Day 10 - Nicolay Davydenko Interview
Q. Can you just express your feelings at being in the semifinals of the French Open.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, feeling is, I don't know. Like, after the match is like really tired. No feeling.
Tomorrow I have birthday, 24, and we'll see. Tomorrow, okay, no match. Day off for me is good. Because I do my present now from my brother here today. He is 35 and I won today match. Still reach semifinal. For him is good present.
Q. The day after your birthday, you play for a place in the final. Big news, huh?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. Is good for me I didn't play my match in my birthday. If I lose, I really don't like in my birthday to play tennis.
Q. Can you now go all the way?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Now it's, okay, like feeling something happy, yes. Because first time in a semifinal in a Grand Slam. I reach Top 10 now in ranking. In next week, it's for me okay, it's good and important because in the next tournament, I already in Top 10, like seeding in next tournament is also good.
Q. What would you say about Tommy Robredo? The kind of play that he has. What was the key of the match in your opinion?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Key, it was fighting, fighting. Like try to fight every ball. Just try to do something what you can do. Because Robredo play well from baseline. He just could move. He play ‑‑ I don't know. After third set, I thinking I win after like 4‑3 for me, was in my serving. But after this game, he play unbelievable. He win ‑‑ he make all winners. He make 4‑All and then he play good.
I really like get impression of me and was difficult something to find. And was like 6‑4, I didn't thinking about like, okay, fifth set started. But and then like 2‑Love for me, I think, "Okay, is better now."
Then like good, long rally. Then I was really tired. Like he was really difficult then to play.
Then he play good. He move good. Just try to keep games. And was for me surprising. I don't feeling anything. I think I lose then like 6‑2, after like was 2‑All. Then I couldn't do anything.
He could make topspin everywhere. I was too much ‑‑ I moving everywhere. It was every point, like feeling I was tired, tired. And then like I feeling bad. And thinking about, "Okay, now is not my day."
But then like I tried some concentration my serve like about 3‑2 and make 3‑All. It was something ‑ I don't know ‑ like last maximum what I get power in my body, just try to keep, like, because if I lose, okay. I have the day off then, okay? Tomorrow also I have day off. But I do something to do maximum for tonight in the fifth set, and I did like in my last points.
Q. You lost the first set. You lost the first set with Rochus. You lost the first set with Coria. You have some problem to start the game or what?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, maybe in the head, you know. It's not like problem. Like I come into the match, I don't like feeling not so good player. I really play like bad. Started to like concentration more, good more ‑‑ take more like power.
Because like Robredo play good. Everybody play good. Started the first set running and everything. For me was difficult something to get control in the ball.
Second set, is like I play the same, little bit more concentration. That's it. I keep winning. It's more. It's good.
Q. Could you tell us a little bit about your racquet. You have a new racquet for the last three weeks.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah.
Q. This racquet is really okay, obviously?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. Like change in Hamburg. Already like two days before Hamburg. Just try to like play in clay court. Is good racquet for the clay. Like play semifinal, like testing, was semifinal Hamburg. Test good.
Then I think it was not so many matches on the circuit. I keep go to the St. Polten, win St. Polten good. I say, "Okay. Okay." Testing in Roland Garros. Now in the semifinal in Roland Garros. We'll see the test in Wimbledon (laughing).
Q. So you are going to play a lefty. Do you like to play a left‑handed player?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Not really so like. But is clay court. Is not like indoor where make only serve, you know.
But against Puerta I play in Hamburg. He play well. He is good like everything from baseline. Tries good topspin to make from everywhere. It's okay. We'll see. Because in Hamburg I play well against Puerta. We'll see how I play in the semifinal here.
Q. Why do you think we're seeing so many great players come out of Russia right now? What's drawing their interest to tennis?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: But I don't think about women tennis because is another sport, I tell you already.
Just men's, yeah. We have now top only four guys instead Top 50.
I don't want to say about WTA tennis. It's different, you know. It's like can't be not Russian. Can't be Argentinian. Like why so many Argentinian men tennis, yeah?
It's like ‑‑ the question is difficult. I don't know why is Russian women play more tennis like no man.
But we have good chance. We are now good guys, four in team in Davis Cup. We play against French and in Moscow. We have good win ‑‑ should be we have to win there, because we are top fit now for the clay court season.
Q. A question beside the game. Do you still live in Germany? Do you still train there?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, my brother live in Germany. Because why is like I stay by him because practice every time if I have ‑‑ because I play 30 tournament a year. If I have some time, like few days, I go to him, to Germany, and practice there. Just take rest little bit.
Q. And it's where exactly? Where is it exactly?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, it's near from Trier, like from around Luxembourg. It's ‑‑ I mean, it's nice place.
Q. Did you get any advice at all from Marat before the match?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I didn't see him.
Q. You haven't seen him at all?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No. No, nobody see him. Losing match and he's already in Moscow, should be.
Q. Okay. How surprised are you to be in the semifinals?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Hmm... yeah (smiling). Surprise is good questions.
Q. What do you think the answer is? Why are you there?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Why I am in semifinal?
Q. Yeah.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Is thinking also why was ‑‑ why ‑‑ okay, why I won last week tournament also? You know, why before I get semifinal Hamburg? Good questions also.
Q. But this is a Grand Slam, which is different.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, but the same guys, you know. Okay, only five sets you play, but everything the same.
You know, you need to be ‑‑ yeah, you need to be top fit for the five sets. But everything the same. Tennis the same. If you there good, why you need to play bad here? Okay, sometimes you play good and then bad. But in some tournament you beat these guy, why you can't beat here, you know, also?
Q. What was happening on where you coming from? You were in the Olympic school. What's happening over there?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Right in ‑‑ Volgograd.
Q. Is the good plan for the sportsman?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: In Volgograd, it's was only swimming is good, you know, for Olympics. But tennis, it was difficult. In Russia, you know, it's a season. Outdoor, it's not so long like indoor. They have indoor courts more. Like fast surface. We have not so good clay courts or outdoor hard court like some tennis clubs. It's difficult to practice in the Moscow.
Like if I want to go to Volgograd, I need to fly to the Moscow three hours and then two hours to the Volgograd. It's completely different. From Europe it's easy to go everywhere. For me, staying in Russia and something to practice there, it's really difficult.
Q. I don't think I really heard an answer on why you think you've emerged recently and been doing so well. Could you reflect on that, please.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: What you mean?
Q. Why have you had such good results recently?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Is the same like questions why I reach semifinal, why I'm good stay in semifinal.
I don't know. It's good questions, but I cannot tell you why I'm now here in semifinal. Because we will see in the future. Only three weeks I play good. Maybe then I play bad.
You know, it's not ‑‑ for me, I am really happy. Tonight I stay in like already semifinal. I want to like wake up tomorrow and thinking, "Okay, I have day off. I have my birthday. I am 24." Like feeling everything perfect. You know, not like thinking about for the semifinal here and then I win or lose and then I go to next tournament.
Q. Ljubicic obviously was very hot in the beginning of the year. Do some players just really get into a kind of zone, really get into a good place in their game at certain times?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know. I don't, like, looking about who is play good, who is bad player. But, you know, like Nadal also started play well, you know, from this year. He keep winning everything, you know. He didn't ‑‑ no losing matches, yeah. But Federer play already second year good, yeah? Like he beat everybody.
You know, sometimes, you know, like new guys coming and try to like to win also, you know. Like everybody to beat. But you can't be ‑‑ you can't beat everybody every tournament every week. It's difficult.
It's everywhere you get problem because, you know, different surface, different balls. And it was ‑‑ I can't tell ‑‑ okay, now was three weeks for me in the road, it was good. It was clay court. Like balls was good. Roland Garros. I play every year here, like I like these balls. For me, was good.
Q. Nevertheless, I think this is probably your best year in your young career. Do you see any difference in comparison with the other years, for example? Can you make any point where you think, "Okay, I made a stamp with my game or with my movement or with your fitness," or with anything that's different from the other years?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, okay, is okay. The best result now in this year. But last year I was started like finishing end of year like 28. Now already I reach Top 10. It's good ranking, yeah.
Like you ‑‑ every time if I play tennis, like my coach say, "You need to be like thinking in the futures." Because not ‑‑ if you lose or win today, you need to work for the next day, for the next tournament, for everything, for the like next year.
And this is more important because, like, I don't know. I just play. Coach say me what I need to do and what I like ‑‑ how I need to practice or what I need to feeling. That's it.
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/interviews/2005-06-01/200506011117648984979.html
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, feeling is, I don't know. Like, after the match is like really tired. No feeling.
Tomorrow I have birthday, 24, and we'll see. Tomorrow, okay, no match. Day off for me is good. Because I do my present now from my brother here today. He is 35 and I won today match. Still reach semifinal. For him is good present.
Q. The day after your birthday, you play for a place in the final. Big news, huh?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. Is good for me I didn't play my match in my birthday. If I lose, I really don't like in my birthday to play tennis.
Q. Can you now go all the way?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Now it's, okay, like feeling something happy, yes. Because first time in a semifinal in a Grand Slam. I reach Top 10 now in ranking. In next week, it's for me okay, it's good and important because in the next tournament, I already in Top 10, like seeding in next tournament is also good.
Q. What would you say about Tommy Robredo? The kind of play that he has. What was the key of the match in your opinion?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Key, it was fighting, fighting. Like try to fight every ball. Just try to do something what you can do. Because Robredo play well from baseline. He just could move. He play ‑‑ I don't know. After third set, I thinking I win after like 4‑3 for me, was in my serving. But after this game, he play unbelievable. He win ‑‑ he make all winners. He make 4‑All and then he play good.
I really like get impression of me and was difficult something to find. And was like 6‑4, I didn't thinking about like, okay, fifth set started. But and then like 2‑Love for me, I think, "Okay, is better now."
Then like good, long rally. Then I was really tired. Like he was really difficult then to play.
Then he play good. He move good. Just try to keep games. And was for me surprising. I don't feeling anything. I think I lose then like 6‑2, after like was 2‑All. Then I couldn't do anything.
He could make topspin everywhere. I was too much ‑‑ I moving everywhere. It was every point, like feeling I was tired, tired. And then like I feeling bad. And thinking about, "Okay, now is not my day."
But then like I tried some concentration my serve like about 3‑2 and make 3‑All. It was something ‑ I don't know ‑ like last maximum what I get power in my body, just try to keep, like, because if I lose, okay. I have the day off then, okay? Tomorrow also I have day off. But I do something to do maximum for tonight in the fifth set, and I did like in my last points.
Q. You lost the first set. You lost the first set with Rochus. You lost the first set with Coria. You have some problem to start the game or what?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, maybe in the head, you know. It's not like problem. Like I come into the match, I don't like feeling not so good player. I really play like bad. Started to like concentration more, good more ‑‑ take more like power.
Because like Robredo play good. Everybody play good. Started the first set running and everything. For me was difficult something to get control in the ball.
Second set, is like I play the same, little bit more concentration. That's it. I keep winning. It's more. It's good.
Q. Could you tell us a little bit about your racquet. You have a new racquet for the last three weeks.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah.
Q. This racquet is really okay, obviously?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. Like change in Hamburg. Already like two days before Hamburg. Just try to like play in clay court. Is good racquet for the clay. Like play semifinal, like testing, was semifinal Hamburg. Test good.
Then I think it was not so many matches on the circuit. I keep go to the St. Polten, win St. Polten good. I say, "Okay. Okay." Testing in Roland Garros. Now in the semifinal in Roland Garros. We'll see the test in Wimbledon (laughing).
Q. So you are going to play a lefty. Do you like to play a left‑handed player?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Not really so like. But is clay court. Is not like indoor where make only serve, you know.
But against Puerta I play in Hamburg. He play well. He is good like everything from baseline. Tries good topspin to make from everywhere. It's okay. We'll see. Because in Hamburg I play well against Puerta. We'll see how I play in the semifinal here.
Q. Why do you think we're seeing so many great players come out of Russia right now? What's drawing their interest to tennis?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: But I don't think about women tennis because is another sport, I tell you already.
Just men's, yeah. We have now top only four guys instead Top 50.
I don't want to say about WTA tennis. It's different, you know. It's like can't be not Russian. Can't be Argentinian. Like why so many Argentinian men tennis, yeah?
It's like ‑‑ the question is difficult. I don't know why is Russian women play more tennis like no man.
But we have good chance. We are now good guys, four in team in Davis Cup. We play against French and in Moscow. We have good win ‑‑ should be we have to win there, because we are top fit now for the clay court season.
Q. A question beside the game. Do you still live in Germany? Do you still train there?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, my brother live in Germany. Because why is like I stay by him because practice every time if I have ‑‑ because I play 30 tournament a year. If I have some time, like few days, I go to him, to Germany, and practice there. Just take rest little bit.
Q. And it's where exactly? Where is it exactly?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, it's near from Trier, like from around Luxembourg. It's ‑‑ I mean, it's nice place.
Q. Did you get any advice at all from Marat before the match?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I didn't see him.
Q. You haven't seen him at all?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No. No, nobody see him. Losing match and he's already in Moscow, should be.
Q. Okay. How surprised are you to be in the semifinals?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Hmm... yeah (smiling). Surprise is good questions.
Q. What do you think the answer is? Why are you there?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Why I am in semifinal?
Q. Yeah.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Is thinking also why was ‑‑ why ‑‑ okay, why I won last week tournament also? You know, why before I get semifinal Hamburg? Good questions also.
Q. But this is a Grand Slam, which is different.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, but the same guys, you know. Okay, only five sets you play, but everything the same.
You know, you need to be ‑‑ yeah, you need to be top fit for the five sets. But everything the same. Tennis the same. If you there good, why you need to play bad here? Okay, sometimes you play good and then bad. But in some tournament you beat these guy, why you can't beat here, you know, also?
Q. What was happening on where you coming from? You were in the Olympic school. What's happening over there?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Right in ‑‑ Volgograd.
Q. Is the good plan for the sportsman?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: In Volgograd, it's was only swimming is good, you know, for Olympics. But tennis, it was difficult. In Russia, you know, it's a season. Outdoor, it's not so long like indoor. They have indoor courts more. Like fast surface. We have not so good clay courts or outdoor hard court like some tennis clubs. It's difficult to practice in the Moscow.
Like if I want to go to Volgograd, I need to fly to the Moscow three hours and then two hours to the Volgograd. It's completely different. From Europe it's easy to go everywhere. For me, staying in Russia and something to practice there, it's really difficult.
Q. I don't think I really heard an answer on why you think you've emerged recently and been doing so well. Could you reflect on that, please.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: What you mean?
Q. Why have you had such good results recently?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Is the same like questions why I reach semifinal, why I'm good stay in semifinal.
I don't know. It's good questions, but I cannot tell you why I'm now here in semifinal. Because we will see in the future. Only three weeks I play good. Maybe then I play bad.
You know, it's not ‑‑ for me, I am really happy. Tonight I stay in like already semifinal. I want to like wake up tomorrow and thinking, "Okay, I have day off. I have my birthday. I am 24." Like feeling everything perfect. You know, not like thinking about for the semifinal here and then I win or lose and then I go to next tournament.
Q. Ljubicic obviously was very hot in the beginning of the year. Do some players just really get into a kind of zone, really get into a good place in their game at certain times?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know. I don't, like, looking about who is play good, who is bad player. But, you know, like Nadal also started play well, you know, from this year. He keep winning everything, you know. He didn't ‑‑ no losing matches, yeah. But Federer play already second year good, yeah? Like he beat everybody.
You know, sometimes, you know, like new guys coming and try to like to win also, you know. Like everybody to beat. But you can't be ‑‑ you can't beat everybody every tournament every week. It's difficult.
It's everywhere you get problem because, you know, different surface, different balls. And it was ‑‑ I can't tell ‑‑ okay, now was three weeks for me in the road, it was good. It was clay court. Like balls was good. Roland Garros. I play every year here, like I like these balls. For me, was good.
Q. Nevertheless, I think this is probably your best year in your young career. Do you see any difference in comparison with the other years, for example? Can you make any point where you think, "Okay, I made a stamp with my game or with my movement or with your fitness," or with anything that's different from the other years?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, okay, is okay. The best result now in this year. But last year I was started like finishing end of year like 28. Now already I reach Top 10. It's good ranking, yeah.
Like you ‑‑ every time if I play tennis, like my coach say, "You need to be like thinking in the futures." Because not ‑‑ if you lose or win today, you need to work for the next day, for the next tournament, for everything, for the like next year.
And this is more important because, like, I don't know. I just play. Coach say me what I need to do and what I like ‑‑ how I need to practice or what I need to feeling. That's it.
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/interviews/2005-06-01/200506011117648984979.html
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Davydenko Takes Coria Out
PARIS, May 30 (Reuters) - Last year's runner-up Guillermo Coria skidded out of the French Open on Monday, losing 2-6 6-3 7-6 6-2 to Nikolay Davydenko in the fourth round.The Argentine got off to a good start on a blustery Court Suzanne Lenglen before being overpowered by the determined Russian.In the second sed Davydenko cranked up the power on his serve and his groundstrokes and began to outhit the lightweight eighth seed.The Russian 12th seed pulled away in the fourth set and sealed victory after three hours six minutes with a deft forehand drop shot.Davydenko will next play either Spain's Tommy Robredo or compatriot and third seed Marat Safin who meet later on Monday
Monday, May 30, 2005
Gaudio, Kuznetsova falter down stretch at French Open
Gaudio, Kuznetsova falter down stretch at French Open
May 30, 2005
PARIS (Ticker) - ...Eighth-seeded Argentine Guillermo Coria was unable to duplicate his French Open success against No. 12 Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, getting upset in a fourth-round match Monday, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-1), 6-2.
Coria, who blew set points in the eighth and 11th games of the third set, crushed Davydenko in the first round at Roland Garros last year, 6-4, 6-2, 6-0, and followed it up with five more wins before blowing two match points in the final against Gaudio.
Davydenko will face either third-seeded Russian Marat Safin or No. 15 Tommy Robredo of Spain in the quarterfinals...
Updated on Monday, May 30, 2005 1:23 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=1frenchopen&prov=st&type=lgns
May 30, 2005
PARIS (Ticker) - ...Eighth-seeded Argentine Guillermo Coria was unable to duplicate his French Open success against No. 12 Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, getting upset in a fourth-round match Monday, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-1), 6-2.
Coria, who blew set points in the eighth and 11th games of the third set, crushed Davydenko in the first round at Roland Garros last year, 6-4, 6-2, 6-0, and followed it up with five more wins before blowing two match points in the final against Gaudio.
Davydenko will face either third-seeded Russian Marat Safin or No. 15 Tommy Robredo of Spain in the quarterfinals...
Updated on Monday, May 30, 2005 1:23 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=1frenchopen&prov=st&type=lgns
Last year’s heroes exit as Gaudio and Coria crash out
Last year’s heroes exit as Gaudio and Coria crash out
By David TuttonMonday, May 30, 2005
Last year's finalists Gaston Gaudio (5) and Guillermo Coria (8) crashed out of this year's tournament within minutes of each other on a sensational afternoon at the French. Reigning champion Gaudio threw it all away against Spain's David Ferrer (20) after leading 4-0 in the fifth set (2-6, 6-4, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4).
Blowing hot and cold, the Argentinean ace finally froze in the decider to bow out after 4 hours 5 minutes of explosive tennis. Ferrer marches on to a quarter-final face-off with Rafael Nadal, a 6-4, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 winner over Sebastien Grosjean.
Coria, meanwhile, was rolled over by Nikolay Davydenko (12) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 in 3 hours 6 minutes. The clay court harrier was overpowered by the hugely impressive Russian, who after a hesitant start was a model of hard-hitting consistency.
Davydenko has already exceeded expectations and with nothing to lose now will prove a very tough proposition here on in. Next up for the Russian is a quarter-final with the winner of the Tommy Robredo - Marat Safin match later this afternoon.
Asked about that match, Davydenko was unable to contain his delight: "Yeah, enjoy play against Marat or Robredo. It doesn't matter. I enjoy to play today against Coria. I enjoy to play in Roland Garros. I enjoy in quarterfinal also. Is also enjoy. It's good."
By David TuttonMonday, May 30, 2005
Last year's finalists Gaston Gaudio (5) and Guillermo Coria (8) crashed out of this year's tournament within minutes of each other on a sensational afternoon at the French. Reigning champion Gaudio threw it all away against Spain's David Ferrer (20) after leading 4-0 in the fifth set (2-6, 6-4, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4).
Blowing hot and cold, the Argentinean ace finally froze in the decider to bow out after 4 hours 5 minutes of explosive tennis. Ferrer marches on to a quarter-final face-off with Rafael Nadal, a 6-4, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 winner over Sebastien Grosjean.
Coria, meanwhile, was rolled over by Nikolay Davydenko (12) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 in 3 hours 6 minutes. The clay court harrier was overpowered by the hugely impressive Russian, who after a hesitant start was a model of hard-hitting consistency.
Davydenko has already exceeded expectations and with nothing to lose now will prove a very tough proposition here on in. Next up for the Russian is a quarter-final with the winner of the Tommy Robredo - Marat Safin match later this afternoon.
Asked about that match, Davydenko was unable to contain his delight: "Yeah, enjoy play against Marat or Robredo. It doesn't matter. I enjoy to play today against Coria. I enjoy to play in Roland Garros. I enjoy in quarterfinal also. Is also enjoy. It's good."
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Guillermo Coria (8) - Nikolay Davydenko (12)
Guillermo Coria (8) - Nikolay Davydenko (12)
Form guide>
Just by getting past the first round here, Nikolay Davydenko broke the mould. He became the first winner of the prestigious Sankt-Pölten tournament to reach the second round of the French in six years. Davydenko has won a clay court tournament prior to the French in each of the past three seasons and has been in fine fettle so far this year.
Guillermo Coria is a hot favourite for the crown, having reached the semis here in 2003 and the final last year. The next step up is the title, but the Argentinean has not been in the same rich vein of clay court form as in recent years. A right shoulder injury has hampered him and as a result he has not won a major tournament since Monte-Carlo in April 2004. He will need to overturn another statistical anomaly if he is to become champion too, as the no No8 seed has never won the French Open.
Tactical guide>
Coria is the consummate clay court player. Able to run all day, and all night if needs be, he preys on his opponent's mistakes like a hungry hyena. Russian Nikolay Davydenko will need to cut down his unforced errors to an absolute minimum then, all the while keeping the ball long to avoid the Argentinean seizing the initiative in the long drawn-out rallies. The Australian Open quarter-finalist should draw on his Melbourne experience and play with the carefree abandon of the underdog if he is to prevail.
Head-to-heads
>Guillermo Coria has won each of the three matches the pair has played up this point. Davydenko will be hoping for a happier outcome than the 6-4, 6-2, 6-0 drubbing he received at the French Open last year.
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2005-05-29/200505291117380070898.html
Form guide>
Just by getting past the first round here, Nikolay Davydenko broke the mould. He became the first winner of the prestigious Sankt-Pölten tournament to reach the second round of the French in six years. Davydenko has won a clay court tournament prior to the French in each of the past three seasons and has been in fine fettle so far this year.
Guillermo Coria is a hot favourite for the crown, having reached the semis here in 2003 and the final last year. The next step up is the title, but the Argentinean has not been in the same rich vein of clay court form as in recent years. A right shoulder injury has hampered him and as a result he has not won a major tournament since Monte-Carlo in April 2004. He will need to overturn another statistical anomaly if he is to become champion too, as the no No8 seed has never won the French Open.
Tactical guide>
Coria is the consummate clay court player. Able to run all day, and all night if needs be, he preys on his opponent's mistakes like a hungry hyena. Russian Nikolay Davydenko will need to cut down his unforced errors to an absolute minimum then, all the while keeping the ball long to avoid the Argentinean seizing the initiative in the long drawn-out rallies. The Australian Open quarter-finalist should draw on his Melbourne experience and play with the carefree abandon of the underdog if he is to prevail.
Head-to-heads
>Guillermo Coria has won each of the three matches the pair has played up this point. Davydenko will be hoping for a happier outcome than the 6-4, 6-2, 6-0 drubbing he received at the French Open last year.
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2005-05-29/200505291117380070898.html
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