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

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