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.