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
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Nikolay Davydenko Q&A: French Open
French Open sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko answered your questions on the eve of second Grand Slam tournament of the year.
Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski will all contest the Stella Artois tournament between 12-18 June at the Queen's Club in London - and Davydenko will be looking to beat them all.
Davydenko moved up to the world's top five with some stunning performances over the past 12 months. He knocked Tim Henman out of last year's Australian Open and then reached the semi-finals of the French Open, narrowly losing to eventual finalist Mariano Puerta.
He will be hoping to go one better in Paris this time and then turn his attentions to the grass at the Stella Artois Championships and Wimbledon.
Nikolay Davydenko Q&A
What is your favourite tournament?
Jon Humberstone, England
It depends. I like all tournaments I enter. Any tournament is good if the organisation is good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In recent years retrievers like Lleyton Hewitt and Rainer Schuettler have struggled to keep in the top 10. How do you plan to avoid the falls these players have suffered?
Myles Harding, England
I think I need to be physically fit for every tournament and for the preparation to be good for the Grand Slam tournaments. I played four weeks in a row and now five or six weeks, which is good.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You seem to be most at ease on hard courts. Do you have a favourite surface to play on?
Prateek Goorha, Australia
I like surfaces that are not so fast. I like clay courts and hard courts like in Toronto and Cincinnati. I don't like the US Open so much.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In your opinion is Federer the greatest in history and can he beat Nadal if they meet in French Open?
DB, Brazil
Roger is the best player ever. On every surface he is good. His play everywhere perfect. He's the number one. I don't think he can beat Nadal here though. It's not so fast - it's not like in Rome. If Nadal is physically good it's tough to beat him.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Which is more important for you: the Grand Slams or the Davis Cup?
Nick Hilton, UK
Grand Slams!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What are your hopes for the grass season especially Wimbledon?
Ilyaas, England (Noemi, this is our Ily!!! SAFINNO1!!!! )
Before, I didn't know how I'd play on grass but this year I've tried to prepare and play in grass tournaments like Queen's to try and prepare for Wimbledon. I've been running a lot on grass to get a feeling for what it will be like to play on. I think that's important.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What was it like playing in the 2006 Masters Cup and finally beating Andre Agassi?
Mark Witchell, UK
For me it was surprising! I played very well, my confidence was good and I was happy to also beat Gaudio and Puerta.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potentially you have two weeks at Roland Garros, then a week at Queen's, then Wimbledon. Physically, are you up for the challenge?
Mark Witchell, UK
I try to be ready for every tournament. That means being physically ready, mentally ready and ready to play good tennis.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your style reminds me of Yevgeni Kafelnikov, did you watch him play growing up?
Haley, USA
I didn't watch him much because he wasn't on Russian television very much. I did see him in the Davis Cup and some Grand Slams but when he was playing well I was already playing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What do you like to do in your free time during Wimbledon and generally?
Camilla, UK
I don't have free time! I just have tournaments to play in all the time. Before Wimbledon it's the clay court season. Maybe after that I'll have one or two weeks off. I'll try to, although there is also preparation for other tournaments to be done. Maybe I'll go fishing if I get time. I like to fish in places around Europe - like Germany.
Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski will all contest the Stella Artois tournament between 12-18 June at the Queen's Club in London - and Davydenko will be looking to beat them all.
Davydenko moved up to the world's top five with some stunning performances over the past 12 months. He knocked Tim Henman out of last year's Australian Open and then reached the semi-finals of the French Open, narrowly losing to eventual finalist Mariano Puerta.
He will be hoping to go one better in Paris this time and then turn his attentions to the grass at the Stella Artois Championships and Wimbledon.
Nikolay Davydenko Q&A
What is your favourite tournament?
Jon Humberstone, England
It depends. I like all tournaments I enter. Any tournament is good if the organisation is good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In recent years retrievers like Lleyton Hewitt and Rainer Schuettler have struggled to keep in the top 10. How do you plan to avoid the falls these players have suffered?
Myles Harding, England
I think I need to be physically fit for every tournament and for the preparation to be good for the Grand Slam tournaments. I played four weeks in a row and now five or six weeks, which is good.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You seem to be most at ease on hard courts. Do you have a favourite surface to play on?
Prateek Goorha, Australia
I like surfaces that are not so fast. I like clay courts and hard courts like in Toronto and Cincinnati. I don't like the US Open so much.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In your opinion is Federer the greatest in history and can he beat Nadal if they meet in French Open?
DB, Brazil
Roger is the best player ever. On every surface he is good. His play everywhere perfect. He's the number one. I don't think he can beat Nadal here though. It's not so fast - it's not like in Rome. If Nadal is physically good it's tough to beat him.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Which is more important for you: the Grand Slams or the Davis Cup?
Nick Hilton, UK
Grand Slams!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What are your hopes for the grass season especially Wimbledon?
Ilyaas, England (Noemi, this is our Ily!!! SAFINNO1!!!! )
Before, I didn't know how I'd play on grass but this year I've tried to prepare and play in grass tournaments like Queen's to try and prepare for Wimbledon. I've been running a lot on grass to get a feeling for what it will be like to play on. I think that's important.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What was it like playing in the 2006 Masters Cup and finally beating Andre Agassi?
Mark Witchell, UK
For me it was surprising! I played very well, my confidence was good and I was happy to also beat Gaudio and Puerta.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potentially you have two weeks at Roland Garros, then a week at Queen's, then Wimbledon. Physically, are you up for the challenge?
Mark Witchell, UK
I try to be ready for every tournament. That means being physically ready, mentally ready and ready to play good tennis.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your style reminds me of Yevgeni Kafelnikov, did you watch him play growing up?
Haley, USA
I didn't watch him much because he wasn't on Russian television very much. I did see him in the Davis Cup and some Grand Slams but when he was playing well I was already playing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What do you like to do in your free time during Wimbledon and generally?
Camilla, UK
I don't have free time! I just have tournaments to play in all the time. Before Wimbledon it's the clay court season. Maybe after that I'll have one or two weeks off. I'll try to, although there is also preparation for other tournaments to be done. Maybe I'll go fishing if I get time. I like to fish in places around Europe - like Germany.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Blustery day fails to deny Davydenko
July 15, 2006, 1:35AM
Blustery day fails to deny Davydenko
Top seed reaches Swedish semifinals by beating Massu
BASTAD, SWEDEN - Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko beat Nicolas Massu 6-4, 6-3 on Friday to reach the semifinals of the Swedish Open.
"I'm very happy to have reached my first semifinal in Bastad," Davydenko said. "It was difficult to control the ball because of the strong winds, but I still managed to play well."
The Russian will play Agustin Calleri of Argentina, a 6-4, 6-4 winner over Robin Soderling, the last Swede left in the clay-court event. Second-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain also advanced to today's semifinals, beating qualifier Evgeny Korolev 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Robredo will meet fourth-seeded Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, who ousted former top-ranked player Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain 7-6 (5), 6-2.
After losing the first set, Robredo broke the 18-year-old Russian in the opening game and the last game at love. In the decisive set, Robredo broke to lead 2-0 and then held the rest of the way.
"This time I want to make the final after losing three times in the semis here," Robredo said.
Davydenko broke to lead 2-1 with a backhand return, which was all he needed to take the opening set. In the second set, he broke the Chilean 1-0 and then again to love for a 5-2 lead.
Ranked a career-best No. 5, Davydenko reached his ninth quarterfinal of the year.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/ten/4048731.html
Blustery day fails to deny Davydenko
Top seed reaches Swedish semifinals by beating Massu
BASTAD, SWEDEN - Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko beat Nicolas Massu 6-4, 6-3 on Friday to reach the semifinals of the Swedish Open.
"I'm very happy to have reached my first semifinal in Bastad," Davydenko said. "It was difficult to control the ball because of the strong winds, but I still managed to play well."
The Russian will play Agustin Calleri of Argentina, a 6-4, 6-4 winner over Robin Soderling, the last Swede left in the clay-court event. Second-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain also advanced to today's semifinals, beating qualifier Evgeny Korolev 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Robredo will meet fourth-seeded Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, who ousted former top-ranked player Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain 7-6 (5), 6-2.
After losing the first set, Robredo broke the 18-year-old Russian in the opening game and the last game at love. In the decisive set, Robredo broke to lead 2-0 and then held the rest of the way.
"This time I want to make the final after losing three times in the semis here," Robredo said.
Davydenko broke to lead 2-1 with a backhand return, which was all he needed to take the opening set. In the second set, he broke the Chilean 1-0 and then again to love for a 5-2 lead.
Ranked a career-best No. 5, Davydenko reached his ninth quarterfinal of the year.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/ten/4048731.html
Davydenko and Robredo reach Bastad final
BASTAD, Sweden (AP) - Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko beat Agustin Calleri 6-3, 6-3 on Saturday to reach the Swedish Open final.
In Sunday's final, the Russian will face second-seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo, who rallied from 4-2 down in the third set to beat Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Robredo lost three previous semifinals at the Swedish Open.
''I'm playing pretty good and hopefully tomorrow I can play as good as today,'' Robredo said. ''If I'm playing like this I have a chance.''
After trading breaks twice in the decisive set, Robredo broke again to lead 5-4. He moved to match point at 40-30 and clinched it when Nieminen's forehand sailed long.
''At the end of the first set I had a few problems, but when I was a set down I started hitting my forehand a lot harder and I think that's the reason why I won in the end,'' Robredo said.
A sellout crowd of nearly 7,000, including six-time French Open and five-time Wimbledon champion Bjorn Borg, watched Davydenko take the first set against Calleri.
''The first set was perfect for me,'' Davydenko said. ''I controlled it and he made many mistakes. I didn't have to hit so many winners.''
Davydenko, who has a career-best ATP ranking of No. 5, broke the unseeded Argentine early in the second set.
Calleri broke back to 3-3 with a straight forehand down the line and appeared to be back in the match.
But Davydenko broke right back, taking a 4-3 lead when Calleri netted a backhand after a long baseline rally. The Russian staved off a break point in the next game before holding his serve.
Davydenko wrapped it all up by passing Calleri with a backhand on his third match point.
''In the second set, he tried to make some winners and play faster,'' Davydenko said. ''He didn't make so many mistakes and was pushing me.''
In four matches here, Davydenko has lost just one set.
Davydenko's previous best in the clay-court event was a quarter-final berth in 2002 when he lost to Carlos Moya.
The only Russian winner of the Swedish Open was Alexander Metreveli in 1966.
http://www.tsn.ca/tennis/news_story/?ID=171375&hubname=tennis
In Sunday's final, the Russian will face second-seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo, who rallied from 4-2 down in the third set to beat Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Robredo lost three previous semifinals at the Swedish Open.
''I'm playing pretty good and hopefully tomorrow I can play as good as today,'' Robredo said. ''If I'm playing like this I have a chance.''
After trading breaks twice in the decisive set, Robredo broke again to lead 5-4. He moved to match point at 40-30 and clinched it when Nieminen's forehand sailed long.
''At the end of the first set I had a few problems, but when I was a set down I started hitting my forehand a lot harder and I think that's the reason why I won in the end,'' Robredo said.
A sellout crowd of nearly 7,000, including six-time French Open and five-time Wimbledon champion Bjorn Borg, watched Davydenko take the first set against Calleri.
''The first set was perfect for me,'' Davydenko said. ''I controlled it and he made many mistakes. I didn't have to hit so many winners.''
Davydenko, who has a career-best ATP ranking of No. 5, broke the unseeded Argentine early in the second set.
Calleri broke back to 3-3 with a straight forehand down the line and appeared to be back in the match.
But Davydenko broke right back, taking a 4-3 lead when Calleri netted a backhand after a long baseline rally. The Russian staved off a break point in the next game before holding his serve.
Davydenko wrapped it all up by passing Calleri with a backhand on his third match point.
''In the second set, he tried to make some winners and play faster,'' Davydenko said. ''He didn't make so many mistakes and was pushing me.''
In four matches here, Davydenko has lost just one set.
Davydenko's previous best in the clay-court event was a quarter-final berth in 2002 when he lost to Carlos Moya.
The only Russian winner of the Swedish Open was Alexander Metreveli in 1966.
http://www.tsn.ca/tennis/news_story/?ID=171375&hubname=tennis
Davydenko reaches Swedish Open final
Davydenko reaches Swedish Open final
July 15, 2006
BASTAD, Sweden (AP) -- Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko defeated Agustin Calleri 6-3, 6-3 Saturday to reach the Swedish Open final.
In Sunday's final, the Russian will face either Jarkko Nieminen of Finland or Tommy Robredo, the second-seed from Spain.
A sellout crowd of nearly 7,000, including six-time French Open champion Bjorn Borg, watched Davydenko take the first set. Davydenko, who has a career-best ATP ranking of No. 5, broke the unseeded Argentine early in the second set.
Calleri broke back to 3-3 with a forehand down the line and appeared to be back in the match. But Davydenko broke right back, taking a 4-3 lead when Calleri netted a backhand after a long baseline rally. The Russian staved off a break point in the next game before holding his serve.
Davydenko passed Calleri with a backhand on his third match point.
His previous best in the clay-court event was a quarterfinal berth in 2002 before losing to Carlos Moya.
Updated on Saturday, Jul 15, 2006 9:02 am EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_ylt=Age5jdwvhvTIiaztYR6j5Ns4v7YF?slug=ap-bastad&prov=ap&type=lgns
July 15, 2006
BASTAD, Sweden (AP) -- Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko defeated Agustin Calleri 6-3, 6-3 Saturday to reach the Swedish Open final.
In Sunday's final, the Russian will face either Jarkko Nieminen of Finland or Tommy Robredo, the second-seed from Spain.
A sellout crowd of nearly 7,000, including six-time French Open champion Bjorn Borg, watched Davydenko take the first set. Davydenko, who has a career-best ATP ranking of No. 5, broke the unseeded Argentine early in the second set.
Calleri broke back to 3-3 with a forehand down the line and appeared to be back in the match. But Davydenko broke right back, taking a 4-3 lead when Calleri netted a backhand after a long baseline rally. The Russian staved off a break point in the next game before holding his serve.
Davydenko passed Calleri with a backhand on his third match point.
His previous best in the clay-court event was a quarterfinal berth in 2002 before losing to Carlos Moya.
Updated on Saturday, Jul 15, 2006 9:02 am EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_ylt=Age5jdwvhvTIiaztYR6j5Ns4v7YF?slug=ap-bastad&prov=ap&type=lgns
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Davydenko routs Pavel in final of Hypo Group Tennis
Davydenko routs Pavel in final of Hypo Group Tennis
May 27, 2006
PORTSCHACH, Austria (Ticker) - Nikolay Davydenko played like a defending champion.
The top seed from Russia rolled to a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Andrei Pavel of Romania on Saturday in the final of the Hypo Group Tennis International.
After winning the $388,630 claycourt event, Davydenko is seeded sixth for the upcoming French Open.
"It seemed easy because of the result, but it is never really the case," Davydenko said. "I think I started really well. I was trying to make winners and fighting for every ball, and I had really good results. At the beginning of the second (set), he started to serve better and it became more difficult."
Pavel advanced to the final in a walkover when Luis Horna of Peru pulled out with back pain on Friday, but turned out to be no match for Davydenko.
"Davydenko played an amazing match; he played amazing the whole week, so there wasn't much I could do today," Pavel said. "I had a bad start, which made him more relaxed, and I was pretty much running after him the whole match after that. In my opinion, he is a good candidate for the Roland Garros title.
Updated on Saturday, May 27, 2006 2:00 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=portschachtennis&prov=st&type=lgns
May 27, 2006
PORTSCHACH, Austria (Ticker) - Nikolay Davydenko played like a defending champion.
The top seed from Russia rolled to a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Andrei Pavel of Romania on Saturday in the final of the Hypo Group Tennis International.
After winning the $388,630 claycourt event, Davydenko is seeded sixth for the upcoming French Open.
"It seemed easy because of the result, but it is never really the case," Davydenko said. "I think I started really well. I was trying to make winners and fighting for every ball, and I had really good results. At the beginning of the second (set), he started to serve better and it became more difficult."
Pavel advanced to the final in a walkover when Luis Horna of Peru pulled out with back pain on Friday, but turned out to be no match for Davydenko.
"Davydenko played an amazing match; he played amazing the whole week, so there wasn't much I could do today," Pavel said. "I had a bad start, which made him more relaxed, and I was pretty much running after him the whole match after that. In my opinion, he is a good candidate for the Roland Garros title.
Updated on Saturday, May 27, 2006 2:00 pm EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=portschachtennis&prov=st&type=lgns
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Davydenko puts Russia in control
Davydenko puts Russia in control
The ability of the French Davis Cup team to punch above its weight has perhaps distracted the tennis world from the fact that Russia have arguably their strongest-ever Davis Cup by BNP Paribas team. And that strength showed on a first day in Pau that has left the Russians on the verge of a home semifinal.
After Marat Safin had beaten Richard Gasquet in a high-quality five-setter, Nikolay Davydenko overcame a slow start to prove too strong and consistent for France’s Arnaud Clement, the Russian winning 36 62 64 76(4) to give Russia a 2-0 lead. All is not lost for the hosts, as they are favourites for the doubles, and Davydenko finished his match with an injury which could make him doubtful for Sunday’s reverse singles. But it would still be an astonishing achievement for France to come back from such an emphatic deficit.
Safin the difference between the teams
The difference on the opening day was clearly Safin. Anyone who doubted whether the mercurial Russian would ever rediscover his best form after a knee injury kept him off the tour for eight months last year should have seen his opening match in this tie.
Safin played some of his best tennis since winning the Australian Open 15 months ago, to beat France’s Richard Gasquet 76(4) 46 63 67(1) 61. Gasquet didn’t play a bad match, and was quite justified in not being too hard on himself afterwards.
“Marat is a great player, and he played like someone in the top five,” he said, which was a fair summing-up.
With two supremely talented players facing each other on a carpet court that was too fast for them to play solely from the baseline, the two men offered three hours and 42 minutes of high-quality and varied tennis. For large stretches of the match Gasquet charged to the net behind his first serve, and some of his volleys and drop shots were exquisite.
But on the other side of the net was a man who, though at times still a little inconsistent in just his seventh match of the year, could do anything with his racket, and frequently did. The 7,000 strong crowd – which included Mansour Bahrami, Nicolas Escude and the women’s world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo – cheered Gasquet on, but in the end Safin proved just a little too strong.
Davydenko holds on for second point
Clement, who has bounced back to singles form this year with the title in Marseille and other impressive performances, looked to be bringing the French back level when he took the first set against Davydenko. But the Russian gradually found his stride, and from the moment he broke early in the second set, he got into one of those zones where he barely makes a mistake. Clement held with him for much of the third set, opening up a 3-1 lead at one stage, but in the 10th game the Russian converted his second set point to give him the third set.
Clement battled back well from 1-4 down in the fourth, but he was having to go for the lines and corners to thwart Davydenko’s deadly accuracy. But then in the tiebreak drama struck, which could yet influence the outcome of the tie. Before the first point, Davydenko winced and pinched his hip. Then after five points he took a medical timeout for a cramping problem. He came back to a chorus of boos from the French fans, and ran out a 7-4 winner, falling to his knees in relief after winning the match.
“I’ve never had a cramping problem like that,” he said at the end of the match. “I knew my last chance to win the match was in that tiebreak. If he had won the fourth set, I would have had to retire in the fifth.”
Davydenko declined to say whether his injury would affect his presence in the first of Sunday’s reverse singles, when he’s due to face Gasquet.
In the doubles France are almost certain to stick with their nominated pair of Clement and Michael Llodra, while Russia’s big question is whether to play Safin with Mikhail Youzhny, generally considered the visitors’ best pairing, or to give Safin a day off and stick with the nomination of Youzhny and Dmitry Tursunov.
http://www.daviscup.com/news/matchreport.asp?id=13736
The ability of the French Davis Cup team to punch above its weight has perhaps distracted the tennis world from the fact that Russia have arguably their strongest-ever Davis Cup by BNP Paribas team. And that strength showed on a first day in Pau that has left the Russians on the verge of a home semifinal.
After Marat Safin had beaten Richard Gasquet in a high-quality five-setter, Nikolay Davydenko overcame a slow start to prove too strong and consistent for France’s Arnaud Clement, the Russian winning 36 62 64 76(4) to give Russia a 2-0 lead. All is not lost for the hosts, as they are favourites for the doubles, and Davydenko finished his match with an injury which could make him doubtful for Sunday’s reverse singles. But it would still be an astonishing achievement for France to come back from such an emphatic deficit.
Safin the difference between the teams
The difference on the opening day was clearly Safin. Anyone who doubted whether the mercurial Russian would ever rediscover his best form after a knee injury kept him off the tour for eight months last year should have seen his opening match in this tie.
Safin played some of his best tennis since winning the Australian Open 15 months ago, to beat France’s Richard Gasquet 76(4) 46 63 67(1) 61. Gasquet didn’t play a bad match, and was quite justified in not being too hard on himself afterwards.
“Marat is a great player, and he played like someone in the top five,” he said, which was a fair summing-up.
With two supremely talented players facing each other on a carpet court that was too fast for them to play solely from the baseline, the two men offered three hours and 42 minutes of high-quality and varied tennis. For large stretches of the match Gasquet charged to the net behind his first serve, and some of his volleys and drop shots were exquisite.
But on the other side of the net was a man who, though at times still a little inconsistent in just his seventh match of the year, could do anything with his racket, and frequently did. The 7,000 strong crowd – which included Mansour Bahrami, Nicolas Escude and the women’s world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo – cheered Gasquet on, but in the end Safin proved just a little too strong.
Davydenko holds on for second point
Clement, who has bounced back to singles form this year with the title in Marseille and other impressive performances, looked to be bringing the French back level when he took the first set against Davydenko. But the Russian gradually found his stride, and from the moment he broke early in the second set, he got into one of those zones where he barely makes a mistake. Clement held with him for much of the third set, opening up a 3-1 lead at one stage, but in the 10th game the Russian converted his second set point to give him the third set.
Clement battled back well from 1-4 down in the fourth, but he was having to go for the lines and corners to thwart Davydenko’s deadly accuracy. But then in the tiebreak drama struck, which could yet influence the outcome of the tie. Before the first point, Davydenko winced and pinched his hip. Then after five points he took a medical timeout for a cramping problem. He came back to a chorus of boos from the French fans, and ran out a 7-4 winner, falling to his knees in relief after winning the match.
“I’ve never had a cramping problem like that,” he said at the end of the match. “I knew my last chance to win the match was in that tiebreak. If he had won the fourth set, I would have had to retire in the fifth.”
Davydenko declined to say whether his injury would affect his presence in the first of Sunday’s reverse singles, when he’s due to face Gasquet.
In the doubles France are almost certain to stick with their nominated pair of Clement and Michael Llodra, while Russia’s big question is whether to play Safin with Mikhail Youzhny, generally considered the visitors’ best pairing, or to give Safin a day off and stick with the nomination of Youzhny and Dmitry Tursunov.
http://www.daviscup.com/news/matchreport.asp?id=13736
Monday, March 27, 2006
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO
A fan favorite, he isn't
With the crowd cheering for his fiery opponent, Nikolay Davydenko quietly showed why he's the world's fifth-ranked player.
BY SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN
sdegnan@MiamiHerald.com
The wiry man with the drab, navy blue shorts and shirt on Stadium Court might as well have been faceless and nameless. He already lacked the fire and charisma of his 20-year-old opponent, Marcos Baghdatis -- not to mention the crowd support.
Nikolay Davydenko knows well by now that being ranked fifth in the world in tennis means absolutely nothing in terms of being popular, or even being known. The crowd clapped in rhythm and cheered heartily for Baghdatis of Cyprus on Sunday at the NASDAQ-100 Open, clearly approving of his playfulness and warmth.
But when the 2-hour 9-minute match ended, it was Davydenko, the patient Russian baseliner, who walked away at least $37,400 richer by defeating the Cypriot 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 to reach the fourth round at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park.
''I have question,'' Davydenko said to reporters in his rough English after the match. ``Can you tell me why I play today on center court?
''[Because you're] No. 5,'' someone responded.
Said Davydenko: ``No. [Because] Baghdatis more famous after finals of Australia Open. Everybody want to see Baghdatis. Normally not me.''
He was asked if it's because he's quieter and people like more emotional players.
''I don't know [about] emotion,'' Davydenko, 24, replied. ``Normally I play my game. I don't want to do something like changing on center court. It doesn't matter if I play on center court or grandstand. Maybe it's easier playing on Court 1 or the grandstand. Not so many people watching.''
COACHED BY BROTHER
Davydenko, whose parents are in Volgograd, Russia, spends most of the year in Germany with his brother and coach, Eduard. He was born in Severodonezk, Ukraine, and became a Russian citizen at 18. But despite his little-known background and lack of popularity -- ''You get soccer and ice hockey on Russian TV,'' he said -- he's obviously doing something right.
In 2005, he won one ATP title (St. Poelten, Austria) and advanced to seven semifinals, including his first in a Grand Slam at the French Open, where he lost to Mariana Puerta in five sets.
This year, he already has reached the semis in Sydney, Australia, and Rotterdam, Netherlands. He got to the quarterfinal of his first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, but lost to top-ranked Roger Federer in four sets.
Known as the workhorse of the ATP, Davydenko broke into the top 10 of the men's game at No. 7 in June and has gotten stronger since. His 30 tournaments last year were the most of any of the top-10 players.
DUEL OF BASELINERS
Sunday, he wore down Baghdatis, a fellow baseliner, by moving him around and keeping the rallies long.
''In the second set I start to move more,'' Davydenko said, ``like play faster and make more topspin and play everywhere -- just not so many mistakes.''
Baghdatis didn't help himself, double faulting seven times, including on match point.
Nonetheless, he had 11 aces and drew louder and louder cheers in the final set. Despite Baghdatis being beaten by Federer 5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 in the Australian Open final, his countrymen celebrated his overall success with fireworks, gunfire, church bells and music in the streets of Cyprus, according to The Associated Press. Even the president called.
''It's really cool to have a lot of people behind you, showing me a lot of love,'' he said.
``Any player would love the crowd to be with him.''
But like Davydenko, if given the choice, he would take the victory.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/tennis/14194907.htm
A fan favorite, he isn't
With the crowd cheering for his fiery opponent, Nikolay Davydenko quietly showed why he's the world's fifth-ranked player.
BY SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN
sdegnan@MiamiHerald.com
The wiry man with the drab, navy blue shorts and shirt on Stadium Court might as well have been faceless and nameless. He already lacked the fire and charisma of his 20-year-old opponent, Marcos Baghdatis -- not to mention the crowd support.
Nikolay Davydenko knows well by now that being ranked fifth in the world in tennis means absolutely nothing in terms of being popular, or even being known. The crowd clapped in rhythm and cheered heartily for Baghdatis of Cyprus on Sunday at the NASDAQ-100 Open, clearly approving of his playfulness and warmth.
But when the 2-hour 9-minute match ended, it was Davydenko, the patient Russian baseliner, who walked away at least $37,400 richer by defeating the Cypriot 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 to reach the fourth round at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park.
''I have question,'' Davydenko said to reporters in his rough English after the match. ``Can you tell me why I play today on center court?
''[Because you're] No. 5,'' someone responded.
Said Davydenko: ``No. [Because] Baghdatis more famous after finals of Australia Open. Everybody want to see Baghdatis. Normally not me.''
He was asked if it's because he's quieter and people like more emotional players.
''I don't know [about] emotion,'' Davydenko, 24, replied. ``Normally I play my game. I don't want to do something like changing on center court. It doesn't matter if I play on center court or grandstand. Maybe it's easier playing on Court 1 or the grandstand. Not so many people watching.''
COACHED BY BROTHER
Davydenko, whose parents are in Volgograd, Russia, spends most of the year in Germany with his brother and coach, Eduard. He was born in Severodonezk, Ukraine, and became a Russian citizen at 18. But despite his little-known background and lack of popularity -- ''You get soccer and ice hockey on Russian TV,'' he said -- he's obviously doing something right.
In 2005, he won one ATP title (St. Poelten, Austria) and advanced to seven semifinals, including his first in a Grand Slam at the French Open, where he lost to Mariana Puerta in five sets.
This year, he already has reached the semis in Sydney, Australia, and Rotterdam, Netherlands. He got to the quarterfinal of his first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, but lost to top-ranked Roger Federer in four sets.
Known as the workhorse of the ATP, Davydenko broke into the top 10 of the men's game at No. 7 in June and has gotten stronger since. His 30 tournaments last year were the most of any of the top-10 players.
DUEL OF BASELINERS
Sunday, he wore down Baghdatis, a fellow baseliner, by moving him around and keeping the rallies long.
''In the second set I start to move more,'' Davydenko said, ``like play faster and make more topspin and play everywhere -- just not so many mistakes.''
Baghdatis didn't help himself, double faulting seven times, including on match point.
Nonetheless, he had 11 aces and drew louder and louder cheers in the final set. Despite Baghdatis being beaten by Federer 5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 in the Australian Open final, his countrymen celebrated his overall success with fireworks, gunfire, church bells and music in the streets of Cyprus, according to The Associated Press. Even the president called.
''It's really cool to have a lot of people behind you, showing me a lot of love,'' he said.
``Any player would love the crowd to be with him.''
But like Davydenko, if given the choice, he would take the victory.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/tennis/14194907.htm
Nasdaq 100: Interview third round over M. Baghdatis
N. DAVYDENKO/M. Baghdatis
2‑6, 6‑2, 7‑5
An interview with:
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. A lot of mistakes out there, but you are through to the next round.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: It was ‑‑ first set was for me like little bit pression because try to do winners quickly. Was to try to play fast but was like two, three balls then make mistake.
First set, he was running good. Tried to do no mistake and play very well. And then in the second set I try different, like thinking about like this is hard court. Center court is pretty slow. I think about, like everybody running here, play back, like thinking should be like playing clay court. Like make topspin, try to like make no winners. Just play right, you know, right, left, just with topspin, control, and thinking about waiting, you know, for mistake from Baghdatis.
It was, I think, my important thing, was he was running too many, you know. He was already tired after the second set. I think I get more chance to beat him then.
Q. We're not used to seeing this many mistakes from you.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. Like, you know, sometimes you don't know how you feeling. Normally, like, I don't make so many mistake if I play from baseline. If like slowly, here, like I get good control. Then I try to do myself something.
But sometimes you feeling pression. Sometimes you try to like make winners and you do mistake by self, it's also difficult.
Q. Were you surprised that he had so many double‑faults?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I think I was not surprised because it's was ‑‑ every time we changing, you know, from other side, like after was 5‑All, and it was important to win my serve and I winning. Like before I was 3 serving, I losing on same side. Then we change, I won the serve. For me was important to concentration now to break him in 6‑5 in the third. Because was windy, you know, in one side, wind. I was play with wind, you know. Before was against wind, I losing my serve and also he losing, also him serve ‑‑ service.
It was, I think, he was already tired after the 5‑All and was 6‑5. He was winning, try to break also me in 5‑All. I was winning with game.
And then I think he was already like no control he get. I think he was really tired.
It was like, I don't know, I was surprising because he makes three double‑faults. It's many.
Q. His running forehand crosscourt, how dangerous is that shot?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, normally guys, if some guys try, you know, to play forehand angle to the net, he just get passing shot is good. Now like he feeling very well, like with wrist, and he just forehand. And backhand he just feeling good. Backhand, forehand, you know, like crosscourt, it's passing shot.
For me, was important don't go to the net this important games, just stay from baseline because I know he just try to play fast or cross, and I know what he just, you know ‑‑ after the first set, I was like thinking about like still play from baseline and play right and left.
Q. He doesn't often go up the line on that running forehand, does he?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, you think you like ‑‑ like in first set, I never play before against him. I didn't know how he is playing.
Like I was surprising because he was played sometimes slowly, sometimes fast, because, like, he just pushing ball like really slow from backhand. Forehand just make topspin. Then one ball, easy, just try to make winner for me. It was like happen and he winning 6‑2 because I play against him really slowly first set. He can do everything.
In the second set, I just already start to moving more, like play faster and to make more topspin and play everywhere and just not so many mistakes.
Q. Are you back in Russia now full‑time, or no? It says you moved back to Russia in 2004?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Say, like, how you say, move back to Russia. Yeah, I still, like, yeah, I live in Russia but normally I never be there. I just ‑‑ I get only Kremlin Cup and just tournament there, if we get Davis Cup. Maybe I spend only after the season maybe like two weeks in November just in Russia. Okay, like, maybe say spend only few weeks in Russia in the year.
Q. So you're in Germany then?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, I spend more time in Germany because my brother lives in Germany and I practice more in Germany.
Q. Is that why you moved there when you were 15? Why did you move there?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, like, we get problem in Russia. You cannot like moving so great, you know, like flying from Moscow to Europe is three hours. From Germany, everywhere I can play tournament, and I play many tournament in Europe like France, Spain, Italy, everything there, for me, it was easy flight from Germany.
I think I was study two language, German and like for me, the second country, like for me is normally like I feeling like it's home.
Q. Do more people ‑‑ how many people know you in Russia? Are you very popular in Russia as far as tennis or not as much?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Not so much popular we get Russia tennis. You get like soccer and ice hockey on Russian TV. You don't see so much TV, tennis. Some private TV channel now started tennis. But like it's not like popular like tennis so much.
I think if somebody knows tennis, yeah, I am like famous. But normally, like, normally in Europe more.
Q. How about in America? How many people have recognized you this week here?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I was surprising. I start from last year nobody knows me in US Open. I was already Top 10, like 12, I was seeded No. 12 in the US Open and nobody know me. I was like thinking about like American people doesn't know tennis, only the No. 1 and No. 2.
And then I was like after Australia Open, I was in Shanghai, beat Agassi, I think, and I was play good against Federer in America. I come to Indian Wells already last like last tournament. Already people knows who I am. Just say name, coming to autograph, was surprising.
Q. How about here?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Here, the same. Not more like America, more like Chile, Argentina, Latin American. Difference.
Q. Let's go back to last year, Split, Croatia, Mario. Tell me about that match. What was the atmosphere like?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Against Ancic?
Q. Yes?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: It was really cool because it was like so loud and people was crazy. We play in Croatia, semifinal. Croatia was tough team. Just for sure you want to win matches.
For me, I was like, I play good. Normally, against Ancic, I was play very well and feeling I can beat him normally. But then I was after the ‑‑ because we play I think three and half hour. I was like thinking about, like, I was tired after this match, and it was Sunday against Ljubicic for me and I was like I cannot move anyway. It was difficult to play.
Q. You never actually played him on a hard court. You've been indoors or on clay. Will this match be different?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, like ‑‑
Q. You played Mario on a clay court, inside, but not on a hard court outside. Will it be a different match in that way?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, maybe, because like depends how he play and how he is serving. Because hard court is normally, if some guy is good serving, it's difficult to return. And if he play fast, you know, it's difficult to play, also control from baseline. Because by that he was play really slowly. From me it was easy to play from baseline, get control in the second set and the third.
But you never know what's happening.
Q. When you beat him in Split, it was an emotional moment for you?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, like, it's normal because I was already Top 10, and he was, you know, like Top 30 maybe. For me, I don't feeling pression because I feeling I beat him because I play already indoor in Croatia. I play very well in indoor. In this time I play very well. I get good control. I think he get pression in the Split.
Q. Even with the crowd on his side?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Doesn't matter, but I think he have more pression. He was do more mistake, not like me.
Q. But the crowd here responded more to Baghdatis. He's more emotional. He responds to them. You seem calmer and quieter.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, but I have questions why I play center court today? Can you tell me why I play today on center court?
Q. No. 5?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Because Baghdatis. No, not like me No. 5. I play against number guys, I can be on Court 1 or grandstand. Normally like Baghdatis more famous after finals of Australia Open, you know. Come to here and everybody want to see Baghdatis. I think tournament put us on center court. But normally not me. Not like I am No. 5.
Q. Maybe I don't understand. Do you think it's because you're quieter and calmer and people like more emotional players?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know like emotion. Normally, I play my game, you know. I don't want to like something changing, like in the center court. Doesn't matter if I play center court or grandstand. Maybe if I'm a easier player of Court 1 or grandstand, not so much people to watch.
Q. What have you liked about Miami? You've played here. Is there anything you like about this city? What have you done here other than tennis?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Normally, I come every year here. This was really humid before. I don't like humid because tired and like losing easy, you know. Like you feeling good, you come to here, good preparation, feeling good tennis, then you can't play because physically you tired, very tired.
Here, like now it's not humid. It was easy to play. It was surprising. Now I feeling good in tennis and I can running and I can good control now. It's cold here now, and I think for me it's good.
Q. Outside of tennis, do you do anything during the tournament? Do you go fishing? It says you like to fish.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, but normally I play singles, doubles, singles, doubles every day. I get no time. If I losing now, just finish now tournament, maybe I spend a few days here for fishing or just for holiday. Normally I like in Florida, to stay. Is very good weather, is beach, is sun. It's perfect.
Q. Even though you're ranked ‑‑ Marat's ranking has dropped so much because of injury, do you think of yourself as the No. 1 Russian?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Who, me?
Q. Yes.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Like by ranking, yes.
Q. In your mind.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Say, my results. In my mind, like right now I feeling good because I just make some good result, you know.
But normally, I respect Marat because he was No. 1. He winning two Grand Slams. He beat best guys, you know, in the world. He beat Agassi, Sampras, everybody. He was ‑‑ I think he was the best player in this time. He beat Federer also.
Because normally, like, if I need to think about if I beat Federer, then I can think about I am better player, you know. But I didn't think about, not yet. You know, I need to prove. I need to try to beat everybody.
Q. Your family, what do your parents do for work? Do they work? What do they do?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, just, you know, still in Russia and now coming to me. I come back to Europe and just coming to me to look Davis Cup for few weeks. Still by me. But no job, just in holiday for ever.
Q. For them? For them, holiday for ever?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, yeah.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
2‑6, 6‑2, 7‑5
An interview with:
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. A lot of mistakes out there, but you are through to the next round.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: It was ‑‑ first set was for me like little bit pression because try to do winners quickly. Was to try to play fast but was like two, three balls then make mistake.
First set, he was running good. Tried to do no mistake and play very well. And then in the second set I try different, like thinking about like this is hard court. Center court is pretty slow. I think about, like everybody running here, play back, like thinking should be like playing clay court. Like make topspin, try to like make no winners. Just play right, you know, right, left, just with topspin, control, and thinking about waiting, you know, for mistake from Baghdatis.
It was, I think, my important thing, was he was running too many, you know. He was already tired after the second set. I think I get more chance to beat him then.
Q. We're not used to seeing this many mistakes from you.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. Like, you know, sometimes you don't know how you feeling. Normally, like, I don't make so many mistake if I play from baseline. If like slowly, here, like I get good control. Then I try to do myself something.
But sometimes you feeling pression. Sometimes you try to like make winners and you do mistake by self, it's also difficult.
Q. Were you surprised that he had so many double‑faults?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I think I was not surprised because it's was ‑‑ every time we changing, you know, from other side, like after was 5‑All, and it was important to win my serve and I winning. Like before I was 3 serving, I losing on same side. Then we change, I won the serve. For me was important to concentration now to break him in 6‑5 in the third. Because was windy, you know, in one side, wind. I was play with wind, you know. Before was against wind, I losing my serve and also he losing, also him serve ‑‑ service.
It was, I think, he was already tired after the 5‑All and was 6‑5. He was winning, try to break also me in 5‑All. I was winning with game.
And then I think he was already like no control he get. I think he was really tired.
It was like, I don't know, I was surprising because he makes three double‑faults. It's many.
Q. His running forehand crosscourt, how dangerous is that shot?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, normally guys, if some guys try, you know, to play forehand angle to the net, he just get passing shot is good. Now like he feeling very well, like with wrist, and he just forehand. And backhand he just feeling good. Backhand, forehand, you know, like crosscourt, it's passing shot.
For me, was important don't go to the net this important games, just stay from baseline because I know he just try to play fast or cross, and I know what he just, you know ‑‑ after the first set, I was like thinking about like still play from baseline and play right and left.
Q. He doesn't often go up the line on that running forehand, does he?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, you think you like ‑‑ like in first set, I never play before against him. I didn't know how he is playing.
Like I was surprising because he was played sometimes slowly, sometimes fast, because, like, he just pushing ball like really slow from backhand. Forehand just make topspin. Then one ball, easy, just try to make winner for me. It was like happen and he winning 6‑2 because I play against him really slowly first set. He can do everything.
In the second set, I just already start to moving more, like play faster and to make more topspin and play everywhere and just not so many mistakes.
Q. Are you back in Russia now full‑time, or no? It says you moved back to Russia in 2004?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Say, like, how you say, move back to Russia. Yeah, I still, like, yeah, I live in Russia but normally I never be there. I just ‑‑ I get only Kremlin Cup and just tournament there, if we get Davis Cup. Maybe I spend only after the season maybe like two weeks in November just in Russia. Okay, like, maybe say spend only few weeks in Russia in the year.
Q. So you're in Germany then?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, I spend more time in Germany because my brother lives in Germany and I practice more in Germany.
Q. Is that why you moved there when you were 15? Why did you move there?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, like, we get problem in Russia. You cannot like moving so great, you know, like flying from Moscow to Europe is three hours. From Germany, everywhere I can play tournament, and I play many tournament in Europe like France, Spain, Italy, everything there, for me, it was easy flight from Germany.
I think I was study two language, German and like for me, the second country, like for me is normally like I feeling like it's home.
Q. Do more people ‑‑ how many people know you in Russia? Are you very popular in Russia as far as tennis or not as much?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Not so much popular we get Russia tennis. You get like soccer and ice hockey on Russian TV. You don't see so much TV, tennis. Some private TV channel now started tennis. But like it's not like popular like tennis so much.
I think if somebody knows tennis, yeah, I am like famous. But normally, like, normally in Europe more.
Q. How about in America? How many people have recognized you this week here?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I was surprising. I start from last year nobody knows me in US Open. I was already Top 10, like 12, I was seeded No. 12 in the US Open and nobody know me. I was like thinking about like American people doesn't know tennis, only the No. 1 and No. 2.
And then I was like after Australia Open, I was in Shanghai, beat Agassi, I think, and I was play good against Federer in America. I come to Indian Wells already last like last tournament. Already people knows who I am. Just say name, coming to autograph, was surprising.
Q. How about here?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Here, the same. Not more like America, more like Chile, Argentina, Latin American. Difference.
Q. Let's go back to last year, Split, Croatia, Mario. Tell me about that match. What was the atmosphere like?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Against Ancic?
Q. Yes?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: It was really cool because it was like so loud and people was crazy. We play in Croatia, semifinal. Croatia was tough team. Just for sure you want to win matches.
For me, I was like, I play good. Normally, against Ancic, I was play very well and feeling I can beat him normally. But then I was after the ‑‑ because we play I think three and half hour. I was like thinking about, like, I was tired after this match, and it was Sunday against Ljubicic for me and I was like I cannot move anyway. It was difficult to play.
Q. You never actually played him on a hard court. You've been indoors or on clay. Will this match be different?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, like ‑‑
Q. You played Mario on a clay court, inside, but not on a hard court outside. Will it be a different match in that way?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, maybe, because like depends how he play and how he is serving. Because hard court is normally, if some guy is good serving, it's difficult to return. And if he play fast, you know, it's difficult to play, also control from baseline. Because by that he was play really slowly. From me it was easy to play from baseline, get control in the second set and the third.
But you never know what's happening.
Q. When you beat him in Split, it was an emotional moment for you?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, like, it's normal because I was already Top 10, and he was, you know, like Top 30 maybe. For me, I don't feeling pression because I feeling I beat him because I play already indoor in Croatia. I play very well in indoor. In this time I play very well. I get good control. I think he get pression in the Split.
Q. Even with the crowd on his side?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Doesn't matter, but I think he have more pression. He was do more mistake, not like me.
Q. But the crowd here responded more to Baghdatis. He's more emotional. He responds to them. You seem calmer and quieter.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, but I have questions why I play center court today? Can you tell me why I play today on center court?
Q. No. 5?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Because Baghdatis. No, not like me No. 5. I play against number guys, I can be on Court 1 or grandstand. Normally like Baghdatis more famous after finals of Australia Open, you know. Come to here and everybody want to see Baghdatis. I think tournament put us on center court. But normally not me. Not like I am No. 5.
Q. Maybe I don't understand. Do you think it's because you're quieter and calmer and people like more emotional players?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know like emotion. Normally, I play my game, you know. I don't want to like something changing, like in the center court. Doesn't matter if I play center court or grandstand. Maybe if I'm a easier player of Court 1 or grandstand, not so much people to watch.
Q. What have you liked about Miami? You've played here. Is there anything you like about this city? What have you done here other than tennis?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Normally, I come every year here. This was really humid before. I don't like humid because tired and like losing easy, you know. Like you feeling good, you come to here, good preparation, feeling good tennis, then you can't play because physically you tired, very tired.
Here, like now it's not humid. It was easy to play. It was surprising. Now I feeling good in tennis and I can running and I can good control now. It's cold here now, and I think for me it's good.
Q. Outside of tennis, do you do anything during the tournament? Do you go fishing? It says you like to fish.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, but normally I play singles, doubles, singles, doubles every day. I get no time. If I losing now, just finish now tournament, maybe I spend a few days here for fishing or just for holiday. Normally I like in Florida, to stay. Is very good weather, is beach, is sun. It's perfect.
Q. Even though you're ranked ‑‑ Marat's ranking has dropped so much because of injury, do you think of yourself as the No. 1 Russian?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Who, me?
Q. Yes.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Like by ranking, yes.
Q. In your mind.
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Say, my results. In my mind, like right now I feeling good because I just make some good result, you know.
But normally, I respect Marat because he was No. 1. He winning two Grand Slams. He beat best guys, you know, in the world. He beat Agassi, Sampras, everybody. He was ‑‑ I think he was the best player in this time. He beat Federer also.
Because normally, like, if I need to think about if I beat Federer, then I can think about I am better player, you know. But I didn't think about, not yet. You know, I need to prove. I need to try to beat everybody.
Q. Your family, what do your parents do for work? Do they work? What do they do?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, just, you know, still in Russia and now coming to me. I come back to Europe and just coming to me to look Davis Cup for few weeks. Still by me. But no job, just in holiday for ever.
Q. For them? For them, holiday for ever?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, yeah.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
Monday, March 13, 2006
Celebrity Nicolay?‘Who is Davydenko? What is your name?’
Celebrity Nicolay?‘Who is Davydenko? What is your name?’
By Matthew Cronin, TennisReporters.net
Russian tennis player Nikolay Davydenko
Star Nikolay Davydenko outlasted hot Andy Murray.
FROM THE PACIFIC LIFE OPEN IN INDIAN WELLS – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and Marat Safin all won their matches on a star-studded Sunday. So did fifth ranked Nicolay Davydenko.
Does anyone in Coachella Valley care? Apparently so. He’s more recognized in the US than in his native Ukraine or in his adopted Russia. At least on Paseo Drive in Palm Desert, Davydenko is no longer the Invisible Man.
“It was surprising in America “ he said. “I come to the shopping, sports. They coming to me like, “Are you Davydenko. Before, never many. Because I lose here. I was No. 12 already. [Fans come to my matches and ask] and say, 'Who is Davydenko? Who is playing this one?' Like coming to me, I'll turn around, 'What is your name?' Now it's like guys coming to me know whom I am. They say, 'Come on, Davydenko, give me autograph.' So, it was surprising for me here.”
We will take his word for it, even if we are still in shock.
Davydenko has made himself into the tour’s steadiest player. He’s not creative as Fed, fast as Nadal, powerful as Roddick or as directed as Agassi. But, after he beat Andy Murray 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, the Scot bowed down. "He has some of the best groundstrokes in the game. He doesn't give away any cheap points."
The platinum blonde Davydenko played 30 tournaments last year. He lives on the ATP Tour. He loves to play and doesn’t need breaks. He’s a machine, with much more personality off court than on.
“Some guys try to play, go home, go to the family, maybe like to play not so many tournaments. My parents live in Russia. I cannot, go to the Russia and sometimes parents come to the tournaments. Like, my girlfriend is by me all the time on the tour, why I need to go home? I don't know where my home is, and the tour is for me like home.”
More on Russia’s top player on Monday, but a quick aside: He doesn’t care that’s he’s Russia’s No. 1 because he’s almost never there, except for Davis Cup and a tournament or two in the fall. He trained in Germany since he was 14 and is more of an internationalist.
“I don't feel anything [about being the Russian No. 1],” he said. “It's like still the same, everything like it was in 2001 or 2005. Like normally I'm No. 5 and No. 1. I don't know maybe the Russian country. it's not so easy. Tennis is not important in Russia because it's soccer and ice hockey. In Russia, the people know maybe just Safin, because he win already Grand Slam. He was No. 1. Me, people who know tennis, know Davydenko. But normally if I go in the street or normally moving, nobody knows who I am.”
http://www.tennisreporters.net/davydenko_031306.html
By Matthew Cronin, TennisReporters.net
Russian tennis player Nikolay Davydenko
Star Nikolay Davydenko outlasted hot Andy Murray.
FROM THE PACIFIC LIFE OPEN IN INDIAN WELLS – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and Marat Safin all won their matches on a star-studded Sunday. So did fifth ranked Nicolay Davydenko.
Does anyone in Coachella Valley care? Apparently so. He’s more recognized in the US than in his native Ukraine or in his adopted Russia. At least on Paseo Drive in Palm Desert, Davydenko is no longer the Invisible Man.
“It was surprising in America “ he said. “I come to the shopping, sports. They coming to me like, “Are you Davydenko. Before, never many. Because I lose here. I was No. 12 already. [Fans come to my matches and ask] and say, 'Who is Davydenko? Who is playing this one?' Like coming to me, I'll turn around, 'What is your name?' Now it's like guys coming to me know whom I am. They say, 'Come on, Davydenko, give me autograph.' So, it was surprising for me here.”
We will take his word for it, even if we are still in shock.
Davydenko has made himself into the tour’s steadiest player. He’s not creative as Fed, fast as Nadal, powerful as Roddick or as directed as Agassi. But, after he beat Andy Murray 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, the Scot bowed down. "He has some of the best groundstrokes in the game. He doesn't give away any cheap points."
The platinum blonde Davydenko played 30 tournaments last year. He lives on the ATP Tour. He loves to play and doesn’t need breaks. He’s a machine, with much more personality off court than on.
“Some guys try to play, go home, go to the family, maybe like to play not so many tournaments. My parents live in Russia. I cannot, go to the Russia and sometimes parents come to the tournaments. Like, my girlfriend is by me all the time on the tour, why I need to go home? I don't know where my home is, and the tour is for me like home.”
More on Russia’s top player on Monday, but a quick aside: He doesn’t care that’s he’s Russia’s No. 1 because he’s almost never there, except for Davis Cup and a tournament or two in the fall. He trained in Germany since he was 14 and is more of an internationalist.
“I don't feel anything [about being the Russian No. 1],” he said. “It's like still the same, everything like it was in 2001 or 2005. Like normally I'm No. 5 and No. 1. I don't know maybe the Russian country. it's not so easy. Tennis is not important in Russia because it's soccer and ice hockey. In Russia, the people know maybe just Safin, because he win already Grand Slam. He was No. 1. Me, people who know tennis, know Davydenko. But normally if I go in the street or normally moving, nobody knows who I am.”
http://www.tennisreporters.net/davydenko_031306.html
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