Nikolay Davydenko Online

Nikolay Davydenko routed Dominik Hrbaty 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 Sunday to win the Paris Masters for his fifth title of the season.

2006-11-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

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

Davydenko crushes Hrbaty to win Paris Masters

2006-11-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

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

St Petersburg Open - Day 3

2006-11-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

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.

Irina at St. Petersburg 2006!

2006-10-24T22:14:00.000-07:00

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.

Sep 13 media note with Davydenko

2006-09-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

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

An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO 9/9/2006

2006-09-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

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.

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Nikolay Davydenko: Almost Famous

2006-09-09T14:01:00.000-07:00

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.”

An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO 7/9/2006

2006-09-08T11:23:00.000-07:00

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).

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Player of the Day: Nikolay Davydenko

2006-09-08T11:19:00.001-07:00

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.

Davydenko Hammers Haas In Five

2006-09-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

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.

Davydenko reaches Open semifinals; Federer or Blake awaits

2006-09-07T17:34:00.000-07:00

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

An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO

2006-09-07T17:33:00.000-07:00

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.

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Savvy Davy Reaches Quarter

2006-09-07T17:30:00.001-07:00

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.

Open-Davydenko comeback halts marathon man Haas

2006-09-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

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

Davydenko outlasts Haas to reach first US Open semis

2006-09-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

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

Nikolay Davydenko Q&A: French Open

2006-08-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Which is more important for you: the Grand Slams or the Davis Cup?
Nick Hilton, UK

Grand Slams!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

Blustery day fails to deny Davydenko

2006-07-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

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

Davydenko and Robredo reach Bastad final

2006-07-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

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

Davydenko reaches Swedish Open final

2006-07-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

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

Davydenko routs Pavel in final of Hypo Group Tennis

2006-05-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

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

Davydenko puts Russia in control

2006-04-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

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

2006-03-27T15:08:00.000-08:00

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

Nasdaq 100: Interview third round over M. Baghdatis

2006-03-27T01:21:00.000-08:00

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...

Celebrity Nicolay?‘Who is Davydenko? What is your name?’

2006-03-13T12:43:00.000-08:00

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

Indian Wells: After his win over Murray

2006-03-13T12:24:00.000-08:00

INTERVIEWS

March 12, 2006

An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Nikolay, please.

Q. Murray said that you have maybe, well, certainly some of the best ground strokes on tour, that hit the lines, keep the ball deep. Just talk about the match and how you thought you won that in the third set.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Before match, I was already coming here Friday and last week and was practicing for, like, one week before match and, like, play against many guys one set and, like, play very well. I, like, beat everybody like 6-1, like, today in the first set. And normally, like, I get good confidence because play very fast, feeling good ball and was, like, start to play very well match. And, you know, it's -- you never know what's happened because it was windy and also you make few mistake, and then you just like concentration not so good.

Because, like, if you try to make winners, you make mistake, and, like, was in the second set and losing set, and then like thinking about what you need to do. Because now, if I make many mistake, just try to do maybe, like, play only rally, just play just only top spin, just make like not so, like, try to play like in clay court, really in top spin, try no mistake, play how you can play.

And most in the first set, was tired for him. He can also do so much running and play many winners. And for me, I was also tired. I can also no make too much winner. And should be only who make the mistake in the third set.

And for me, it was important to good concentration and still to run and still to play top spin.

Q. How do you manage to play so many tournaments and not have your body breakdown? I think you are the only top 5 player to play 30 tournaments last year, which is a lot.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, but last year was also injury, was retired from the tournament, and then 30 tournaments. But I like to play every week. If I have of no injury and feeling okay, not tired, I like. It was for me like my job. And still coming to the tournament, it's like fast every week. It's nice tournament.

We get okay. Like, my coach say, if you're feeling tired, you can just like play just for fun, and if it's tournament, you lose in first round, then, like, you just take for you, like few day off and week off. If you want still in tournament, but you're now relaxing in preparation for next tournament.

And because normally, like some guys try to play, you know go home, go to the family, you know, still, you know, maybe like to play not so much tournament because like mainly spend time for the family, and okay for family. My parents live in Russia. I cannot, like, come to the Russia and sometimes parents coming to me, you know, to the tournaments, see me in tournament. Like, my girlfriend by me all the time on the tour, why I need to go home? I don't know where my home, and like still on the tour, it's for me like home.

Q. But mentally, don't you feel like you need to break sometimes, just to go off and not think about tennis for a little while?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yes. It's like -- maybe it's like few weeks a year. But if -- if feeling good, why I need to go take off, you know? Why I need to do something, you know like go home and take rest, like mentally? Yes, sometimes, yes, if your body like in Grand Slam you play five sets, two quarters or semi final, yes. I got like in last year, I play longer to the same and I retired for the grass court tournaments in just preparation for Wimbledon.

If you make good result, yeah, you think you should be take, you need to take time.

Q. Nikolay has anybody recognized you in the street here?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. It was surprising in America, yes. Like here was nice, like, I come to the, you know, shopping, sports, shopping, they coming to me like are you Davydenko. Before, never many. Because I was playing lose here. I was No. 12 already, Hughes strep, coming to see some guy, say, "Who is Davydenko? Who is playing this one?" Yeah.

Like coming to me, I'll turn around, "What is your name?" Now it's like guys coming to me know who I am. They say, "Come on, Davydenko, like give me autograph, and having -- so it was surprising for me here.

Normally tennis in America is not like popular. Just on the American guys, and like just NHL or NBA and tennis, like for Agassi, knows, just like American guys, all No. 1, No. 2. But who is after 5, it's like it doesn't matter, yeah. But now maybe it's like should be for good result, like against beating Agassi in the Master's in Shanghai and play good against Federer in AustralianOpen. Because I think it's already good.

TV start tennis to see in America for in Europe tournament and, like, in something, and Australia, it's nice.

Q. How about at home, are you a big star at home?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: At home?

Q. Yeah.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know. Where is my home normally. But I try to stay in Germany by my brother. And in Russia, it's like I spent time on the Davis Cup and Moscow tournament, and, like, only a few weeks and end of year season, like, finish also just for two weeks, because I need preparation for the next season, you know.

And because what you need to do in Russia, like parents coming to me, and in Russia I have no friends, nothing, just -- because I was already leave from 15 years old was in Germany, and for me it was like second home in Germany.

Q. Do you think people -- do you think players have a special fear of you, especially guys who are maybe not in the very top because you play so consistent, because you don't show so much emotion on the court? Do you think people are a little bit, "God, I'm playing Davydenko. This is going to be tough"?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Maybe because I make very good rally and I just try to do no mistake on the court. There should be guys thinking about, I need to move and I need to do something to if he just try to make winners, maybe, because I try to make no -- like, no mistake in the court.

I like to play long rally, like, in clay court, I like to play more top spin, just do myself, you know, like, if I could control and feeling good and play very -- like, I can't play fast. I can't play slow. Like today, I play first set fast, last set I play very slow, because change in different games in the matches also important. Because sometimes you need to go wall and sometimes you need to stay back.

Because you see how is -- how you feeling by self. Like normally I play first set today good, winning everything and play good volley and like winners make. And then like in the second, I do only mistake and then what you going to do like in the first set? Only concentration, no winners, just to play -- to do no mistake, just make top spin in the court, just play on the court and running. It's important in first set I win in the first set.

Q. Do you feel you played like Kafelnikov play?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Kafelnikov played a little different. He don't like so much on clay. He play very low.

Q. Well, in Roland Garros though.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: This was fast, for him was, you know, it was time, for his position was good because he didn't play against Muster. He didn't play so much -- he don't like guys who make money at top spin because normally he didn't play very well in clay court season. He played very good hard, not very low bounce, you know. He just tried to do -- he not running so much. He just play like winners like Agassi, not pushing guys and -- but for me, like sometimes I try to push also, you know, but I also go back and play, you know, try to do like top spin like Spanish guy.

Q. Was it important for you to reach the No. 1 ranking in Russia? What did that mean to you?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't feel anything, you know. It's like still the same, everything like was in 2001 or 2005. Like normally like I'm No. 5 and No. 1. In Russia, it's like it's not like -- I don't know maybe Russian country it's not so easy. You know, like no -- like tennis, nothing is important in Russia because it's soccer and ice hockey and, Russian.

You know. Not like international. What's still in Russia, then people knows, you know, but for international maybe just Safin, because he win already Grand Slam. He was No. 1. I think guys know who is Safin. Me, who knows tennis, is like Davydenko knows, you know. But normally if I go in the street or normally moving, nobody like -- no one know who I am.

Q. Playing Roger at the Australian Open, do you have regrets now when you think about it? You were so close to having a chance to win?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Like in this time, this was, yeah, it was my good chance was to beat him in there because this was in these day. It was good for me, was good because in sometimes like here, it's a little bit different because hard court and different balls. If I play against him, you know, maybe I lose easy, maybe I also try to win here. Because in Australian Open was, I played very slow, just keeping, you know, play only control ball and just play top spin and, you know, try to do no mistake for myself. And Federer don't know what I need to do. He just tried to make winners and he can't because this was for me everything was slow.

And because if you play against Federer, fast he play also fast. If you play him slow he don't know what -- you know, in -- like in Australia was for him very difficult, but mentally should be I need to win, should be I need to win this match because I get six set points, you know. Normally like in the third, yeah -- in the fourth set, I get many chance, but I forfeit. But it's good luck..

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

http://www.pacificlifeopen.com/en/players/interviews/2006/davydenko312.asp

Nikolay over Rusedski

2006-02-22T10:32:00.000-08:00

from the Rotterdam official site:

''For a while, it seemed as if Greg Rusedski would cause a major upset by disposing of another seeded player. Although he led Nikolay Davydenko 4-2 in the opening set, he was unable to keep the Russian at bay. Not by any stretch of the imagination. A little over 30 minutes later, a disappointed Rusedski walked off court, having won just one more game. The scoreboard said it all: 6-4, 6-1 in a little over 53 minutes.

Although Davydenko is seeded second, the last-minute withdrawal of Rafael Nadal effectively makes him the tournament favourite. The Russian has won all previous encounters with Rusedski, who is Canadian by birth. And it's not too difficult to see why ?Davydenko not only has an excellent return of service, allowing him to neutralise Rusedski's most important weapon, he also outguns the left-hander during their rallies.

Davydenko next plays either Danielle Bracciali (a qualifier) or Alex Calatrava (a lucky loser). At first sight, it seems an easy draw. Even if Davydenko thinks likewise, he's never let it show. As a seasoned professional, he realises only too well that there are no easy matches.''

Davydenko through despite foot injury

2006-02-20T14:45:00.000-08:00

For a while, it seemed as if the injury epidemic that caused 13 players to withdraw from the tournament had also found Nikolay Davydenko. During the third game of the second set, Davydenko asked a physiotherapist to attend to his left foot, which caused him considerable discomfort. Luckily, the injury was less serious than it appeared, allowing the Russian to resume his match against Thomas Hernych. He went on to win in straight sets: 6-3, 6-3.

Davydenko next plays Service Slammer Greg Rusedski of Great Britain. “An old acquaintance”, he grinned as he walked off court amidst loud applause. “Unless you’re able to read his service, you’re fighting a losing battle.”
Davydenko proved today that he is in excellent form at present. Hernych did have a few chances though. He managed to secure several breakpoints, but each time his Russian opponent produced the shots he needed. Davydenko kept his opponent at bay with powerful baseline strokes, at times wrong-footing Hernych completely. Last week, Davydenko and his fellow-countrymen convincingly beat the Dutch Davis Cup team in Amsterdam (5-0). Although he’s the No 1 seed here this year, he doesn’t feel any pressure: “I always want to play the best I can, no matter where I am”. Music to Richard Krajicek’s ears

Davydenko puts Russia in control in Amsterdam

2006-02-10T11:16:00.000-08:00

Davydenko puts Russia in control in Amsterdam

By Theo Ruizenaar

AMSTERDAM, Feb 10 (Reuters) - World number six Nikolay Davydenko eased aside Melle van Gemerden 7-6 7-5 6-4 to give Russia a 2-0 lead over the Netherlands in their Davis Cup World Group first-round tie on Friday.

Earlier, Dmitry Tursunov beat Raemon Sluiter 6-7 6-4 7-6 7-6.

Davydenko conceded an early break in a sloppy start against a player ranked 130 places below him but recovered to force a tiebreak and sealed it with his fourth set point.

A service to break to love in the 11th game set up the second set and another break at the start of the third proved enough to clinch the match.

"Van Gemerden surprised me with his power and gave me some problems, especially in the first set," Davydenko told reporters.

"But against players who use so much power, you know they can't maintain that for three sets."

EARLY BREAK

Tursunov dropped the opening set against Sluiter, despite conceding only four points on his serve before the tiebreak which he lost 7-2.

Russian Tursunov, who was picked ahead of Igor Andreev and Mikhail Youzhny, broke early in the second set before going on to level the match.

The 50th-ranked Tursunov also broke in the third set and had four set point opportunities, only for the fighting Sluiter to force another tiebreak.

This time it was Tursunov who held firm, taking it 7-5 to move ahead. Sluiter was close to taking the match into a fifth set when he was up 5-3 in the fourth set tiebreak before his opponent reeled off four successive points.

"We picked Tursunov because he had beaten Sluiter in the past," said Davydenko.

"We knew Sluiter was a good Davis Cup player and feared that a bit but Tursunov did very well today and gave a great performance."

Russia, winners in 2002, have only once failed to get past the World Group opening round in the last seven years.

Updated on Friday, Feb 10, 2006 2:13 pm EST

Yahoo! Sports: Tennis

Interview after his loos to Nalbandian

2005-11-19T16:10:00.000-08:00

D. NALBANDIAN/N. Davydenko
6-0, 7-5
An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO
THE MODERATOR: Questions in English and Chinese.

Q. What happened the first set?
Were you hurt? He was playing too well?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, it's
nothing happen because Nalbandian, I don't
think so how many mistake he make in the first
set? He just tried to keep game like from
baseline control and very fast to play, you know,
from baseline. I get difficult to control. I make
few mistake. He make only winners and no
mistake.
It was difficult to control in first set. Was
for me like try to find with control because balls
was very fast and very low in this surface. I need
to run many run, make something different. You
know, try to win some points, but is difficult and
was 6-Love.
He was returning good, and from
baseline even he play good. I serving today well.
Start many first serve, and he was returning
normal, then we play from baseline.

Q. What happened in the second?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: In the second
was different because different control. I was
already try to find already from baseline with
control, and I can't really something to do in the
same like how Nalbandian because I was
already tired after the first set because I was too
many run. Nalbandian to play very fast, and I
was too many run. I try something to find in the
first set and was difficult. Now started, okay, like
make break, was 4-2, was difficult game in my
serve. I think this game was important to be for
the third set. But he win this game and was
difficult already to come back.

Q. You said you think this game was
difficult to come back. Didn't you think after
6-Love that you could fight back?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You don't
think about anything because you just try to play
every game, every point. If you get some
chance, you try to take this chance. And today
was chance in the second set. I need something
to prove because sometimes if you get chance,
you need to play like very good. In this important
point, I was playing not so great, and I losing
match.

Q. Before your match, Gaudio played
another match. The same as Gaudio, both
played yesterday. Do you think the tiredness
is the reason why you lost today's game?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, I don't
think so. Was like Nalbandian get one day off.
For me yesterday I play, and today it was okay. I
was fit. I was good running. It was normally.
I think for me I was play okay. Okay, it's
like difficult because he play fast, and I need to
find something how he playing, find his control
from baseline. I told yesterday already press, we
both play from baseline, and who is better get
control from baseline and is win match. He was
better today.

Q. You say you like to play many
tournaments. Are you sad not to have any
tournaments coming for one month or
happy?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: What do you
mean?

Q. What will you do after this is over?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Well, you
know, today it's like I finish. I get now holiday.
I'm also lucky. It's not like this important because
I lose semifinal. I'm also happy because finish
career now in this season and get some holiday
now and take rest. I am happy.

Q. What do you think about tomorrow's final between Federer and
Nalbandian?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, I
don't know about Federer -- Federer play well.
Okay, not like today because this was easy
match. But I think Nalbandian is very good
player now in this time because before
sometimes he play well, sometimes not so good.
And now today he was like against Ljubicic he
play also well and against me play also very
good. I think tomorrow should be a very good
final.

Q. Before the semis you said you'd
rather play Nalbandian. Do you think you
made a mistake at that time, maybe Ljubicic
would have been better for you to play in the
semis?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, but like I
tell, Ljubicic was -- I think against Ljubicic also
difficult to play because he try to play short
points. He make more serving. Nalbandian try
to play good from baseline. I was surprising. I
don't make no mistake because I like to play
against guys who make from baseline players.
For me, like easy to play this guy. But
Nalbandian play very well today. I think he
make the best game today.

http://www.masters-cup.com/en/interviews/pdf/davydenko7.pdf

Nikolay named Russia's Top Player

2005-11-19T16:08:00.000-08:00

Sharapova and Davydenko named Russia's top players

MOSCOW, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Maria Sharapova and Nikolay Davydenko have been named Russia's best players in 2005, the country's tennis federation announced at its annual award gala on Saturday.

This year, Florida-based Sharapova became the first Russian woman to take the world number one spot and she also reached semi-finals at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in addition to winning three WTA singles titles.

The 18-year-old Sharapova, who finished the year as number four in the world, pipped Elena Dementieva as Russia's top female player while Ukraine-born Davydenko won the men's award ahead of Igor Andreev and Australian Open champion Marat Safin.

Dementieva led Russia to their second consecutive Fed Cup title by beating France in the final at Roland Garros.

She won both of her singles matches against Mary Pierce and Amelie Mauresmo before teaming up with Dinara Safina in the decisive doubles to clinch a thrilling 3-2 victory.

Davydenko has had the best year of his career.

The 24-year-old reached the semi-finals of a grand slam for the first time at Roland Garros and made the last four at the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. He also led Russia to the Davis Cup semi-finals in the absence of the injured Safin.

Andreev won his first ATP titles this year, triumphing in Valencia, Palermo and Moscow, while Safin, troubled by a persistent knee injury, has had a largely disappointing season.

After winning his second Australian Open title in January, Safin has played only one tournament since Wimbledon, losing in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters Series in August.

Russia's Fed Cup side were voted the best team for the second year in a row.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=reu-russia&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Nikolay after his win over M Puerta.

2005-11-18T19:08:00.000-08:00

N. DAVYDENKO/M. Puerta
6-3, 6-2
An interview with:NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English and Chinese.

Q. Can you give us some forecast
about your semifinal? Nalbandian is a little
bit better on this surface.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, okay, I
tell about Nalbandian. For me priority also
semifinal play against Nalbandian because I
was surprising he beat so easy Ljubicic.
Yesterday he play very well, because I think he
was the best match for Nalbandian. I see all
match, he was in good control, play from
baseline. He returning everything. I was
surprising.
But Ljubicic I think not so good
concentration with match. I think he was most
only from serving, try to make only first serve and
make winners. But Nalbandian to do everything,
to make good control and to win match.
For me also tomorrow important, also
like Nalbandian to good control from baseline. I
think if the ball guy to play from baseline should
be to find who should be better tomorrow.

Q. Why were the games so easy
today? Do you feel you are lucky?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know,
okay, it's like a group because Nadal and
Agassi is not playing here. But easy today? It
was not so easy. First set started Puerta play
very well. I was surprising he play fast. In this
surface he was normal. But he make some few
mistake and easy mistake, and I was break back.
Also the second set, he play some few
points, you know, not concentration.
For me was easy to win games for returning
and then keep my serve only and to win match.

http://www.masters-cup.com/en/interviews/pdf/davydenko6.pdf

Tosee in Shanghai: Day 2

2005-11-16T21:22:00.000-08:00

wish my memories good enough now

-- last night when i got to the stadium, papa was hosting his friends from Peking, so my bros and i decided not to sit together with them coz they are not a few at all, and never experienced to watch the players into and out at the entrance then they put us at the balcony closest to the entrance, there were many ensure workers with us which gave us another way to know more about kolya

-- when kolya coming, gato in front of him, both were a bit serious, i said quickly ''good luck gato'' ''Davai kolya'' my bros louder ''c'mon davydenko'' but he didnt smile to us at all just head up his eyes

-- his matches made me a little worried by his serve, omg, esp when he was on the side of mine, every time he served out, my 'ya' nearly at the same time which was funny so that the persons around us happily watched me but i didnt feel shy at all

-- you know, Max Mirnyi also watched me every time he with another three men sitting just just, omg, next balcony behind ours, and they obviously stood by kolya's side so i watched Max clapping for kolya happily and he did that to my 'ya' when kolya served badly happily during the breaks, we asked for his signs though he lost in the doubles again still nice to fullfil us all, he is a kind man, read our magazine and talked with his partners about some restaurants

-- we need to admit that Gato is the better actor last night but i am so happy to see an opener kolya, it seems that he had some pressure and some muzzled passion with also, so he lost 3 mps but saved 3 again then he showed his nice passion out, what he said after match on the court made us Chinese so full

-- i think he really feel good in Shanghai below from our ensure workers, we had a happy talk with them, they told us many about the players and their families which helped us to know more about them and so happy i am not wrong at all, who i enjoy is also their likings

-- they said it was their first time to know kolya, of course we Chinese are used to calling him 'Davydenko' - 达维登科，they said he is polite and silent, never made them any trouble

-- before match, all of them were talking about their head-to-head, so some of them thought Goto would hold on to the decisive set, others thought kolya could easily get the match so they joined us to cheer for kolya

-- when kolya led 5-2 ready to serve for match, all were standing at the outside-entrance but omg kolya was broken in the end, they were so frustrated even more than me of course we all not lose confidence, i was so happy to find more supporters on court for kolya every match now i am waiting for next match, dont know who i would meet then

-- in their eyes, all the women with the players not that beautiful, you know, our Chinese guys now more interested in oriental girl style but they said Ira is silent and polite too omg, they didnt like Roger's at all, i asked them why, they didnt tell it out in detail, but they agreed with each other even with the drivers god bless i never intersted in Roger's, also among all the masters, they just blacklist Agassi

in the previous matches, fans asked for sign just at the entrance which made sthg dangerous so last night they not allow us to do anything when match finished, but they workers told me to get ready a bit earlier outside the players' road, so one of my bros prepared for taking photos, i hold my postcards and pen there are some children, women, men shouting ''please for me please'' i watching them seriously afraid to miss then omg, at last, under the workers' protection, kolya walking to me

he smiled then, i was so moved omg, i was not strong enough he signned again for me, coz it was not my first, so i stared at him instead, you know, on the court, we can easily notice his hair but when he in front of you so closely, it is impossible for you to care about his hair any more, i could just notice his face is clean and some handsome in fact, i think maybe i ll feel him more handsome on Friday

i just wish him not that slim later even in our Chinese girls' eyes, he still a bit slim, i am slim in fact, so i often pity myself, now i begin to pity kolya

Interview after Nikolay's win over Gaudio

2005-11-16T19:01:00.000-08:00

N. DAVYDENKO/G. Gaudio 6-3, 6-4
An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO
THE MODERATOR: Questions in English or Chinese, please.

Q. Everybody seems to be injured. You're still here playing very well. How do you rate your chances to actually stay unbeaten in this tournament?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: My chance, okay, is already to be into the semifinals is big chance. But, okay, it's like everybody injured and I'm also concentration not to be injury here because it's very tough to play. Surface is very difficult. If you not concentration with surface, you can be injury. Because sometimes like Agassi was retired. I think he get already in the match something problem, shoulder or something. But for me, okay, I play many tournament, but I be already little bit injury, my wrist in Wimbledon. Now I am feeling okay. And is end of the season. Like now I have no injury. I think preparation for next year should be great.

Q. Is it any disadvantage for you coming from what most people are perceiving as the weaker group here?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: What do you mean?

Q. Any disadvantage coming into the semifinals, saying you make it.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, before, like I play in Paris, like win second round or third round. Like the ATP tell me I am already in in Shanghai. I was surprised. Okay, should be group is very tough, like Hewitt play and Roddick still playing. Like I am already No. 7 because Safin was already pull out because was injury. And then I already coming to Shanghai and was surprising because Roddick pull out, and then Hewitt don't play. And it's was -- group was tough. Because Agassi was, Nadal, and Gaudio. And after my match, like Agassi was retired and Nadal didn't play no matches. And was surprising. I see I get chance to come into the semifinal. I think it's, you know, it's great for me because if you get some chance, you need to take this chance, you know? I think for the next year should be tough to play. I think not like five guys retire for top five, you know. Like if, you know, I am still to play great, like why not, you know. Why I don't take this chance to come in here to the Shanghai and play semifinal.

Q. Ivan Ljubicic was saying yesterday that there was part of him, he said he was having a chat with his coach, and there was part of him that felt the achievement in qualifying here would not be seen as being as special as it was because of all the talk of injuries and the withdrawals. Is there a part of you that feels that way as well, or not?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I didn't understand so question. But I think like for Ljubicic, should be he was also first time here in Masters Series. He's I think the best player now in indoor season because he was in the finals Masters and win two tournaments. I think he's a favorite here also in Masters. But, you know, he like losing Federer in three sets, and 7-6 in the third. I think before he beat everybody here. But, you know, Federer also top fit here. You don't know who can, you know, win this tournament. But for my, you know - how you say? - my group, is no Ljubicic, no Federer (smiling).

Q. This has been by far the best year of your career. Is there anything that it started with? Is there something that happened maybe last year that began this wonderful year?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, it's like started from January, like coming to the Doha to play semifinal, like first tournament in year. Then straight to come to Australia Open quarterfinal. You know, coming to the indoor season, like play quarterfinal, like few quarterfinal. Then, you know, like semifinal. Then win like in clay court one tournament and also semifinal. Like was every week play quarterfinal, semifinal. It's already mentally is go better, because like to tell me I play so many matches in this year, so many tournament. For me, it's important to play many tournament in a year because my mentally, my confidence go better if I play every week. I feeling like better my tennis and I can try to do something - maybe something different, maybe something better for the next week and next week, and should be to play better. I think in the end of the year, like coming to Wimbledon, like I win my first match in grass court. It's also amazing for me, you know. I never like win match in grass court, and one match is already for me something important, you know. I think it's like every week, if you win one match, it's already something important for you because you feeling like you can do in your career important things and you can in the futures play better and better.

Q. You say the surface is difficult here. What does it mean exactly for you? The surface is the same as in Paris, you have to be more careful here.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, it's the same like in Paris. It's the same like was in Lyon, I think, and Basel. But like Nadal and Agassi were retired from this tournament. He didn't play no tournament because Madrid was in hard courts surface. And who still only to play was -- Federer didn't play also no tournament in indoor. It's first time. I think for Federer it doesn't matter which surface to play. He can play on ice, it's okay (laughter). But Ljubicic make better confidence. He win everything, every surface. And he like this surface. Because for guys who play from baseline, it's difficult to run because it's very sticky and sometimes if you not so concentration for the run, you can be injury for your, you know, foot and should be you get some problem. You know, if like Ljubicic play very fast, make serve, like serve and try to hitting one, two balls, and is very difficult to run here and like control to the ball. Many guys here retire because it should be difficult to run.

Q. You will probably be the winner of your group. Which one would you prefer to play in the semifinal: Ljubicic or Nalbandian?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Nalbandian because he is more play from baseline. He is like is better for me control from baseline. Because Ljubicic, I lose already in Davis Cup in Croatia, in Metz. Is very tough to play against him in indoor, in this surface, because he make very great serve and try to play very fast. And Nalbandian playing little bit slow and good control from baseline. For me like today against like Gaudio, everything from baseline is for me more easy to play against Nalbandian.

Q. You played more than 80 matches this year, a lot of long rallies in a lot of those matches. Have you and your brother ever sort of talked about how far you've actually run in all that time? It must be many, many marathons.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Marathons is only maybe five sets like in the Roland Garros like, you know. But I not tough guy. I lose Puerta in semifinal in fifth set. I was 4-2 in the fifth, and I lose the match. But, you know, for me, I would say it doesn't matter how many matches I play in the year. For me, important not to be injury. And if I feeling great, I can play how many I can. If I need to play hundred, I play hundred, you know, matches, how fast every week. If I feeling good, I have like no injury, I can play every week tournament and feeling great, is why not? I am young and I try to play.

http://www.masters-cup.com/en/interviews/pdf/davydenko2.pdf

Kolya Interview after his win over Agassi

2005-11-15T12:18:00.000-08:00

N. DAVYDENKO/A. Agassi
6-4, 6-2
An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English or Chinese, please.

Q. Congratulations for winning your first Round Robin match. Now that we know that Rafael Nadal has withdrawn and Andre Agassi pulled out after this match, how do you look forward to your future in this tournament?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know like about futures because like what today was, you know, surprising. Agassi was starting play well but then in the second set I think he find some injury because he never play -- I already play two times against him. He was like started in the first set, he finish the same. But after the first set I think he get some problem somewhere and he don't want to play anymore and just he just try to play fast and like losing match. But what my futures about, I get only two matches more. It's Puerta and Gaudio. Both guy -- okay, for me, I think Gaudio is more difficult because I lose already five times, but in clay court. And for me, Puerta also clay court, and also like to play in slowly surface. But here indoor, you never know what's happen. Puerta also, I lose in semifinal also in Roland Garros also on clay court. Here we play first time in hard court, in indoor, it's something maybe different.

Q. Everybody besides you seems to be getting hurt. Everybody is saying the calendar, the season, is too long, there are too many tournaments. You've played more tournaments than anybody. At this time of the year, you just appear to be getting stronger and stronger. Do you think there are too many tournaments? Do you think there is too much tennis played?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't think so is so many tournaments because sometimes you get calendar like you get 30 tournaments in a year, normal, maximum. But okay, it's plus if you play matches like Davis Cup. Then if you like winning some matches, like every week if you play and you play quarterfinals, semifinal, it's lot of matches. If I feeling something injury, feeling something, you're tired, I maybe retire from some tournament, take rest for one week and take preparation for next week. But is normal tournament. Is not like too much. Like calendar go for the 30 tournament. If you want, you can play all 30. Or if you want, like Agassi, play only 12.

Q. So do you feel tired? Do you feel weary at this time of the year? You don't show it, if you do. Are you a little bit fatigued now, and looking forward to a rest?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You think about after Shanghai for the next preparation for next year. It's -- yeah, okay, it's not some -- yeah, you have not so many time to do rest because should be like after Paris, like everybody from tennis player get like maybe two weeks' rest and then already start the end of November, like maybe 20th. Like some guys start already early to preparation for the next season. I start maybe already from maybe middle of December. I try after the Shanghai two weeks also take rest and then already in December preparation for next season.

Q. But to go back to my question, do you feel tired? Are there parts of your body that hurt at the moment?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know how is -- I don't think so about. Like already I feel tired, after my like this season, too many matches to play. But we still to play to now and this week. I hope already we finish this week and already take rest.

Q. Why do you think Russians play more? Kafelnikov used to play an enormous amount of matches, doubles and singles. Is it just something in your mindset, something in the way you're brought up, to work harder?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know. If you feeling great, if you fit, if you have no injury, why not? If like I am young, like why I can't play in many tournament? I like to play every week because my mentally. Like if I don't play so many tournament, maybe my confidence are losing. I try to play fast every week. I think my confidence better and better. I like try to preparation for next week better and next week and play better and better. Like, I don't know, like if I losing first round in one tournament, then for the next tournament preparation play maybe quarterfinal, semifinal.

http://www.masters-cup.com/en/interviews/pdf/davydenko1.pdf

Some info about Kolya's Interviews

2005-11-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

more in now, coz today i am busy going to watch the matches, time too limited, below is about kolya sayings on interview yesterday

*-* he spoke of his bro, all ppl can read out from his words that he loves his bro so so much, that kind of feeling we Chinese could understand at once

*-*when asked of tennis guys from Russia, kolya said that Marat owns so much talent in the world maybe still the no.1, he feels sorry about his injury this year and he believed that with good recovery, Marat will back soon and brings the world surprise again but at the same time kolya points out wins need more real matches on court, i think he is so right

*-*when to answer his good results this year, kolya said that it is really a big present to him entering TMC, there are over 1,000 players fighting for only eight places every year so he is proud of himself, he is confident about his next year unless get more pain from injury

*-*when some reporters need his reaction to match vs Agassi, kolya said he knew more more ppl supporting Agassi not to cheer for him, but his attitude is so nice, he said that he has been used to fighting with the hot backgroud air not prepared for him, he got the good experience from RG this year, as if he was playing not only with a guy but with all the crowds so he wouldnt easily be disturbed by our Chinese fans who tend to Agassi obviously

*-*when some silly journalist mistook kolya for Ljubicic, he asked of some questions on Croatia and Italy, Kolya is so gentle, he just smiled then said ''sorry, guy, i am Mr. Davydenko, not Ljubicic'' which impressed the others there but they thought it is mostly kolya's fault, you know, the name card not shown to the guys, instead, it was in kolya's hands, he was playing with it maybe he felt a bit dull

Opening Ceremony recount

2005-11-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

i watched the opening ceremony just now, the players wearing our Chinese Tang dress look very cute with a bit funny, you know, they just seem ready to attend a party in parties, foreigners with Chinese Tang are very popular and cute

when our dear kolya walking on the red-carpet, our tv-len just keen on Roger so kolya suddenly appeared out of tv screen my mummy at the first time shouted out ''woo'', yes, yes, our kolya seems very handsome, more handsome than him in sports shirt on court, in good spirit, eyes brightening, my mummy said that kolya needs to own a special fashion expert coz he could be cuter, but i told her kolya is so low-key

anyway, kolya at least on the top 3 today shown on the ceremony for his outlooking

during the ceremony inside, Roger talked so much with our kolya, they were so happy our kolya very kind to have some talk with Coria

A friend of Tosee's in Shanghai!

2005-11-15T11:56:00.000-08:00

OK, here is what A friend of Tosee's (Im not sure what her name is, I wasn't told) Said about Kolya and asking for his autograph!:

there are some new reports from my girl today

this morning, it is said that Marat would hold a meeting with fans so she went there by taxi but in fact it was a commercial show by Adidas, so she with many other girls waiting outside the Hilton Hotel, omg, so long in wind, these days it is cold in Shanghai then Marat out but into taxi at once so they had to wait for his back

there were many players out then, she knows me enjoy Kolya so much she asked one guy whether the player inside photoing and signing is Davydenko they said yes, she moved closer to the door, coz the players seemed to go to court by bus when kolya finished sthg inside, my girl rushed to him at once she was the first one kolya a bit hesitated, of course she didnt know why then signned for her at once, quickly many other girls around him to ask for more which turned to mess immediately, my girl looked around and found a girl standing by the bus-door, omg, i was right last night on court, Ira in Shanghai she said Ira has a good body, very beautiful, peaceful, waiting there for kolya, our workers held kolya out of the girls then he left with Ira

my girl said though just some seconds, she felt they both have a good relationship, a peaceful love stream between them which made her a bit moved, you know, how she felt about Marat, a silly guy who is unlucky not to own a real girl for him

Tosee's Shanghai Experience!

2005-11-14T16:40:00.000-08:00

Kolenka vs. Agassi!

well, my reports start now

-- this afternoon, i first arrived there for doubles match, so pleased with doubles this year at the same time, i tried to persuade my papa to arrange some vip seats for us, i mean, my bros and me

-- there are some players such as Gato out for practice before singles begins, but so pity our dear Kolya not along with so i went for some relax outside and happy to wait for my papa's arrival

-- my parents reached just before Roger got his no.1 award, and they took us all to the vip seats, omg, i knew sthg very nice would happen tonight

-- i sat just behind his chair, i could see kolya so near so clearly you know, i couldnt believe my eyes in fact, a bit like in dream

-- he played very well, though with many ues but you know which is his strategy, my eyes followed his racquet and his movement so felt tired when finished he so wanted to win, a bit nervous, talked sthg with himself, omg, not in english at all he was calm every game back to his chair, i mean, back in front of me

-- tonight, me happy also for our Chinese cheering for our kolya, Agassi is welcomed no doubt, but but our kolya got much also which surprised me and pleased me at the same time, how lucky i was there as if i was sharing the nice air with our kolya

-- my bros parted into 2, one for Agassi, the other for Kolya with me, and we did a oral bet to serve milk tea no matter which part losing if you were watching the live match, maybe you could hear some cheering of ''kolya'' from some guys, it is my bros when some of them shouted out ''Andre, come on'' others asked me how to cheer for kolya in return, i told them, so my bro with his largest voice to shout ''kolya'', i was too happy when his name is shouted into the air, aroud us there are many ppl happily watching us my papa shook his head for our crazy actions while my mummy encouraged us to do that

-- after his win, so many girls run for him to ask for sign, of course i got ready for it maybe he was too hurried with many girls around, he signed not clear at least i coudnt tell it out and he accepted my gift and and gave me his smiles, omg, his eyes are so bright, god bless me a nice impression to him, for myself, i think i was polite and lady enough

-- his bro is cute but slim, oh, Kolya too slim when i was just next to him, too slim, i wish he could eat more to become stronger and i noticed a girl holding a camera photoing for him all the time, at my first glance, i caught it is Ira though i am not very sure

-- you know, what a big surprise god brings me tonight again Marat came to watch the match i dont know how to express my feeling when i got Kolya and Marat at the same time and at the same place

Davydenko crushes Rusedski to near Shanghai slot

2005-11-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

Davydenko crushes Rusedski to near Shanghai slot

PARIS, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Russia's Nikolay Davydenko stayed on course for a berth at the year-end Masters Cup when he crushed former champion Greg Rusedski 6-2 6-2 in the second round of the Paris Masters on Tuesday.

Davydenko, seeded third, needed only 59 minutes to move past Rusedski, who won the indoor tournament in 1998 and would have made sure of ending the season as the British number one ahead of Tim Henman had he won.

"I really felt I couldn't get through him at all today and I didn't feel like I played as well as I could," said Rusedski, who will have one last chance to overtake Henman when he plays a second-tier challenger tournament in Ukraine.

A semi-finalist at this year's French Open, Davydenko sits in seventh place in the ATP Champions race and will qualify for the eight-strong season finale from Nov. 13 in Shanghai if he can hold on to that spot.

The 32-year-old Rusedski, who scored a memorable win over Pete Sampras in the final here seven years ago, was never in contention against Davydenko.

The Russian all rounder remained in control until hitting a forehand winner on the first match point.

Rusedski said he would definitely play a full year in 2006 but would start the season a few weeks late because his wife, Lucy, is expecting their first child.

"There's been a lot of positives this year," he said. "The body has been very good to me. Physically, I feel good. I feel I can get stronger over the next few months, too".

Second seed Guillermo Coria had earlier disappeared from the lucrative event, brushed aside 6-4 6-2 by Czech Tomas Berdych.

Argentine Coria, who would have secured a Masters Cup berth with a victory, looked clumsy and made a string of unforced errors.

Berdych, who had beaten fellow Czech Jiri Novak in the first round, capitalised on his opponent's mistakes and earned three match points when Coria netted a backhand.

Coria saved the first two with service winners but, on the third, Berdych fired a backhand pass down the line to seal victory in just over an hour.

Coria can still win one of the two remaining tickets to Shanghai but his fate depends on how the other eight contenders fare in Paris.

Updated on Tuesday, Nov 1, 2005 10:24 am ES

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=reu-paris&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Davydenko cruises into second round of Open de Moselle

2005-10-04T00:04:00.000-07:00

Davydenko cruises into second round of Open de Moselle
October 3, 2005

METZ, France (Ticker) - Nikolay Davydenko has taken the first step toward putting Russia's semifinal loss to Croatia in the Davis Cup behind him.

The top-seeded Davydenko routed Richard Mello of Brazil, 6-3, 6-1, in Monday's first round of the $390,000 Open de Moselle.

Davydenko, who is seeking his second title of the season and first since May, dominated in his first career meeting with Mello to improve his singles mark to 46-24 this season.

ADVERTISEMENT
It was Davydenko's first match since losing in straight sets to Ivan Ljubicic as Russia lost its tie with Croatia, 3-2.

Ljubicic, who also won his singles match against Mikhail Youzhny before pairing with Mario Ancic to win the pivotal doubles match, is the third seed here and also advanced to the second round with a 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 triumph over Argentine Jose Acasuso.

Davydenko and Ljubicic could meet in the quarterfinals of this hardcourt event.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=metztennis&prov=st&type=lgns

Davydenko poses Croatia threat

2005-09-23T10:30:00.002-07:00

Davydenko poses Croatia threat

Croatia stand tantalisingly close to their first Davis Cup final this week, hosting a Russia team weakened by the absence of Marat Safin. Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic will be favourites to steer Croatia into the but in Nikolay Davydenko and Mikhail Youzhny Russia still present a formidable hurdle.

World number seven Davydenko has never lost a Tour match to either Ancic or Ljubicic, while Youzhny became a national hero in 2002 when he clawed back a two-set deficit against Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu to land Russia a first title.

Russia's Shamil Tarpischev also has the incentive of becoming the first captain to land the Fed Cup and Davis Cup in the same year following the women's triumph over France last week.

Local boy Ancic, however, says form and statistics will count for nothing when the tie gets under way on Friday.

"I am very well prepared, I'm in good physical shape," Ancic told reporters in the Gripe Sports Hall, just a short stroll from the family home. "There will be a great atmosphere, it will be a great feeling and we don't want to waste it."

Ljubicic, the team's most experienced player, added: "All the singles will be very close. Davydenko is a dangerous player but the surface is not his best, it will suit Youzhny more. Whatever, the tie won't be decided before Sunday."

The 21-year-old Ancic, who was nurtured as a junior by Croatian sporting icon and fellow Split resident, former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, is under pressure after defeats by Andy Roddick and Andrei Pavel in the Davis Cup victories over the U.S. and Romania this year.

"I lost the opening singles here against Romania in five sets, but I will try to use that experience to my benefit," said Ancic, who partnered Ljubicic to crucial doubles victories in both matches. "I just hope I get the win on Friday."

French Open semi-finalist Davydenko stirred things up when he said Croatia could benefit from home-based line judges.

"(Croatia's) main advantage will be the line officials," Davydenko told reporters, referring to a defeat by Ancic in a lower-tier tournament in Zagreb several years ago when he believed he "was robbed" by poor line calls.

BIG FACTORS

"The other big factors for them will be the home crowd and the fast surface."

Pilic is unlikely to call upon the giant serving Ivo Karlovic, unless either Ancic or Ljubicic suffer an injury or fatigue, although he playfully offered his thoughts on Russia's options.

"They are definitely weaker without Safin," he said, "and I don't expect Youzhny to play all three matches because he has trouble with his knee. I'm not sure he'll play the doubles."

Youzhny, who laughed off suggestions he had a bad knee, is a regular doubles player for Russia, usually with Safin. Tarpischev is likely to partner him with Igor Andreev on Saturday, although he knows if Russia are to win, they will probably have to capture three of the four singles rubbers.

"It will be hard without Safin but we will deal with what we have," he said. "Little things will prove decisive."

Davydenko poses Croatia threat

2005-09-23T10:30:00.001-07:00

Davydenko gives Russia lead in semifinal

2005-09-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

Davydenko gives Russia lead in semifinal

Nikolay Davydenko has given Russia the first point of the weekend in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semifinal tie between his nation and Croatia.

In front of a wildly enthusiastic crowd, Davydenko survived a mid-match problem before coming back to beat Mario Ancic and give Russia the early lead. After three hours and 30 minutes of sometimes superb tennis that was blended in with some ordinary points, Davydenko scored a 75 64 57 64 result over Ancic.

Ancic opened the first rubber and dropped the first two points before holding serve from break point down. That first game seemed to signal what Davydenko plan was. He was going to direct his returns into the body and jam Ancic. The Russian was holding serve more comfortably as the set progressed but in the tenth game Ancic had a chance at 0-30. He could not keep the pressure up and Davydenko held and struck in the next game breaking Ancic who netted a forehand volley.

The Russian then played a near perfect game to hold for the set with a fantastic forehand winner.

The vibrancy at the Sportski Centar Gripe (pron: Greepay) was stunning as flags were waved and fans applauded. The noise generated by the 4,500 fans was deafening as a combination of cheering, drums banging and plastic inflatable cheer sticks were whacked against one another, created an atmosphere that Davis Cup tennis can only generate.

Davydenko opened a 3-1 lead in the second set. Ancic forged back to level at 3-3 when Davydenko made a rare forehand error. He then broke Ancic in the next game to get the upper hand once more. The Russian’s forehand continued to find its mark as Ancic started to become frustrated. He was not being able to make any inroads.

Davydenko has enjoyed a tremendous year on the circuit and that form was more than evident in this first match.

He broke Ancic in the first game of the third set and just kept consolidating his advantage. With that break in hand Davydenko served for the match at 5-4.

Incredibly the crowd added to their noise levels and equally incredibly Ancic rallied and broke Davydenko to square the set. He then held serve and with the noise at fever pitch, Ancic all but brought the house down when he stunned Davydenko with yet another break to win the third set.

Davydenko said he was a bit tired and his concentration slipped when he failed to serve out the match in the third set. He said Ancic surprised him by staying back as well. But he said he felt very comfortable with his forehand. It didn’t let him down because he easily came up with winners that went either cross court or down the line.

“I was good with my control from the baseline and I returned very well,” said Davydenko. “It didn’t matter where he was serving to me, everything worked and I returned it everywhere. I had a feeling that I could do anything.”

For the fourth consecutive time Ancic opened the set and by holding serve he had won four consecutive games. However in the fifth game Davydenko broke serve. The Russian survived a break point in the next game even with the crowd going crazy for the local boy. Davydenko consolidated and served for the match again at 5-4. It seemed that Ancic was going to pull a rabbit out of a hat once more when he had 0-30 but Davydenko rallied for the last four points of the match.

“I played a really solid match but I came across an opponent today who just played better especially the first two sets,” said Ancic. “I had small chances and I felt good on them but he came out with some great shots. The only chance I really got was when he was serving for the match in the third and he got tight. After that I was playing really good to win the set. But obviously he played better.”

Davydenko was pouncing on Ancic’s volleys, taking them early and hitting them back so hard. In that aspect of the match the Croat admitted that he was taken by surprise but tactically he still thought he played a good match.

“I was going in a lot and trying to break his rhythm but he was just coming up with better and better shots.

The second rubber has Ivan Ljubicic playing Mikhail Youzhny.

http://www.daviscup.com/news/matchreport.asp?id=13401

Ancic to face Davydenko first in Split

2005-09-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

Ancic to face Davydenko first in Split
The draw for the Croatia v Russia Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Semifinal tie has been made and is as follows:

Mario Ancic (CRO) v Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)
Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) v Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)
Mario Ancic/Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) v Mikhail Youzhny/Dmitry Tursunov (RUS)
Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) v Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)
Mario Ancic (CRO) v Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)

The stunningly beautiful and historic city of Split, which has the Mosor Kozjak Mountains as a backdrop with the city spilling towards the pristine aqua coloured waters of the Adriatic Sea, is Croatia’s second largest city. It is a city that is celebrating its 1700th anniversary this year and is regarded as the premier sports centre in Croatia.

It’s no wonder when one considers the fact that they have a good football team, a good basketball team and it is the birthplace of four of the nation’s finest tennis players - Zeljko Franulovic, Niki Pilic, Mario Ancic and the country’s best ever player, 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic. In fact the four tennis players were born and raised within a couple of streets from one another and developed their tennis at the 50-year-old Tennis Club of Split.

For the second round in succession Split is hosting a Davis Cup by BNP Paribas tie. In July Croatia defeated Romania in the quarterfinals and this weekend Pilic will captain Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic against Russia at the Gripe Sports Centre, an indoor facility that will seat 4,500 fans. The tie will be played on a quick carpet surface that both teams are satisfied with.

The draw for the semifinal was done in the stadium’s VIP area and the first match of the weekend has Mario Ancic playing Nikolay Davydenko, followed by Ivan Ljubicic against Mikhail Youzhny. The doubles on Saturday will see Ancic and Ljubicic team up against Youzhny and Dimitry Tursunov. The reverse singles will have Ljubicic against Davydenko first with the semifinal being closed out by Ancic and Youzhny.

“I feel very good. The last tie against Romania I played first match as well and I know what to expect. I’m ready and I think I did my best preparation I could, and from my point of view I have done everything I could,” said Ancic.

“It’s hard playing three days running but this is Davis Cup. I have done a good preparation physically and I am going into this feeling confident. The Russian team is really strong and it will be a battle out there.

“The first match will be really important because both teams are going to try to play good from the first match. Nikolay has had a very good year - he is a top ten player. It is always a challenge to play especially in front of a home crowd, but I have been playing good the last couple of weeks and I will try to take this good from in to the match. It will be extremely hard but I hope to have great support from the crowd.”

The Croatian captain Niki Pilic explained that this was a very difficult tie for both teams. He believes that every match is “pretty open”. He hopes and expects his players to play with inspiration.

Davydenko says he is very happy to be playing the first match. He likes the fact that he knows his starting time will be 1pm and not have the uncertainty of when to be absolutely ready, which would be the case if it was the second match.

“It is five set match so you could be waiting one hour, three hours or five hours. I will play and finish and see the second match with Youzhny,” said Davydenko.

“We are not playing in Moscow, we are playing in Ancic’s home so he will be tough to beat. He plays good on fast court inside so for me it will be important to have concentration like you have in clay court.”

Youzhny said he didn’t think the court was too fast. Before arriving in Split he thought the Croats would have made the court very fast. He said against Belarus last year the court was much faster, in fact that court was like lightening.

“This is Davis Cup and it will be tough to play Croatia because whoever is home has the advantage, but we have chances to beat them, we have a great team,” said Youzhny. “We haven’t lost before the match starts.”

Going into the first day of action, Ancic and Davydenko have met once before on clay in St. Polten, Austria, last year and the Russian won, while Ljubicic won the only match he and Youzhny have played. That too was on clay, last year in Hamburg.

http://www.daviscup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?id=13363

The fast-rising Russian star becomes head-to-toe Prince: Official Statement

2005-09-21T23:40:00.000-07:00

September 20, 2005

Nikolay Davydenko Signs To Prince

The fast-rising Russian star becomes head-to-toe Prince

"My success on the tour has improved significantly since I switched to O3."

Nikolay Davydenko, the Russian tennis star who won his first ATP title of the year within weeks of first playing with the revolutionary new O3 Tour racquet from Prince, has signed a long-term agreement with the brand.

After making his top 30 debut only last year, Davydenko has become one of the Tour's fastest-rising players. The 24-year-old first played with the O3 Tour at the Hamburg Masters Series in May, where he reached the semifinals. A week later, he won the St. Poelten event in Austria, then went on to make his semifinal debut at the French Open!

Davydenko continued his powerful advance in world tennis in July when he won both his singles rubbers to lead Russia to a sensational 3/2 victory over France in the Davis Cup world group quarter-finals. The following month, he celebrated a career-high ATP ranking of six.

In addition to his racquet deal with Prince, Davydenko will also wear the brand's apparel and footwear.

"Davydenko is one of the most exciting young talents in world tennis and we are delighted that he has chosen to join the Prince team," said Alistair Thorburn, Prince Sports International President.

"The interest in our new O3 technology has been so high that Nikolay wanted to try the O3 Tour in May. Since then, he and the racquet have become inseparable – and the results thereafter speak for themselves," added Thorburn.

Davydenko echoed his delight at joining Prince: "I am very excited to be part of the Prince team. As soon as I tried O3, I knew it was something special for me. The larger sweetspot gives me more power, more feel, and increased accuracy with my shots – and the racquet is so much faster through the air.

"My success on the tour has improved significantly since I switched to O3."

Davydenko becomes the second top ten player to adopt the Prince O3 Tour, joining O3 trailblazer Guillermo Coria, a winner of the International Series event in Umag; a finalist this year in the ATP Masters Series events in Monte Carlo and Rome, and this month’s International Series event in Beijing; and a quarter-finalist in the 2005 US Open.

Prince is the established industry leader in the development and manufacturing of performance racquet sports equipment that is proven at the highest level of competition and used by both professional athletes and aspiring recreational players. Prince Sports, Inc., the parent company, is based in New Jersey, USA, and the International HQ, Prince Sports Europe Ltd, is located in London. Prince Sports, which holds more patents than any other racquet company, revolutionised the game of tennis with its introductions of the "Oversize", "Longbody"®, "Triple Threat"® and "More"® racquets; it reshaped squash with its innovative "Extender"®; "Triple Threat"® and "More"® racquets; and redefined badminton with both "Y-Joint" and "More"® technologies. In 2005, the brand introduces O3, a breakthrough in tennis engineering and technology that increases the sweet spot by up to 54%, enabling players to hit their best shots, more often. Today, Prince Sports has operations on three continents and distribution in over 100 countries.

http://www.princetennis.com/news_events/press/press_release.asp?DocumentID=511

More about his clothing sposor

2005-09-21T23:35:00.000-07:00

...The personality-challenged Russian Nikolay Davydenko is the life of the party at Prince, where he has just signed-on to wear the clothing line: "Davydenko is one of the most exciting young talents in world tennis and we are delighted that he has chosen to join the Prince team," said Alistair Thorburn, Prince Sports International President. "The interest in our new O3 technology has been so high that Nikolay wanted to try the O3 Tour in May. Since then, he and the racquet have become inseparable -- and the results thereafter speak for themselves." Wish the racquet spoke for itself, it'd probably give better post-match conferences...

http://www.tennis-x.com/xboard/viewtopic.php?t=775

2005-09-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

Nikolay Davydenko, no 5 mondial, sera présent à Metz,

Les organisateurs ont également annoncé la présence de Richard Gasquet, finaliste de l'édition 2005
A un peu plus d'un mois du début du tournoi, les organisateurs viennent d'annoncer les premiers inscrits. Première bonne nouvelle, la présence de Nikolay Davydenko, 24 ans, en très grande forme depuis le début de l'année avec une victoire à St Poelten et plusieurs fois demi-finaliste notamment à Roland-Garros. Seront également présents aux Arènes de Metz, Richard Gasquet (no 15 mondial) finaliste de l'édition 2004, Ivan Ljubicic (no 16), Nicolas Massu (Champion olympique en titre) ainsi que les français Gael Monfils, Fabrice Santoro et Arnaud Clement.
Réservez dès maintenant vos places en ligne avec paiement sécurisé. Commander maintenant

Nikolay Davydenko, worldwide N. 5, will be present in Metz,

The organizers also announced the presence of Richard Gasquet, finalist of edition 2005 Is a little more than a month old of the beginning of tournament, the organizers have just announced the first registered students. First good news, the presence of Nikolay Davydenko, 24 years, in very big form since the beginning of the year with a win in St Poelten and several times semifinalist notably in Roland-Garros. Will also be present at the Arenae of Metz, Richard Gasquet (worldwide N. 15) finalist of edition 2004, Ivan Ljubicic (N. 16), Nicolas Massu (Olympic champion officially) as well as French Gael Monfils, Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement. Reserve your online places with reassured payment from now on. Command now

http://www.opendemoselle.com/index.php?p=act&art=37

Davydenko Takes Vengeance on Robredo for Safin

2005-09-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

June 02, 2005

Davydenko Takes Vengeance on Robredo for Safin

Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko reached semi-finals after defeating Marat Safin’s offender Tommy Robredo of Spain in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium June 1, 2005. Davydenko won 3-6 6-1 6-2 4-6 6-4.
-->Similar to the match played by Davydenko vs. Guillermo Coria (Arg), when he lost five games running, Davydenko was able to find his game only after the poor start. In the first set, Robredo was fast enough to hit all balls, while Davydenko lacked accuracy. In the second set, however, Davydenko started playing as he had never done before. After racing through the second and the third sets, probably the best sets in his life, Davydenko was leading 4:3 in the fourth one. The only thing he had to do was to be sure at his serve. No one knows how Robredo rediscovered the form but he broke the rhythm, having taken three games running.

In the decisive set, Robredo was psychologically stronger, buoyed up by the audience. Although Davydenko won the first two games, it looked as if Marat Safin’s history would repeat itself. Robredo took the break and equaled the sore. But Davydenko survived to lead 5:3 with the first match ball at Robredo’s serve. There were three match balls in the ninth game overall, all heroically opposed by the Spaniard. But Davydenko finally came through in the tense battle.

In the semi-finals, Davydenko will play Mariano Puerta who knocked out his fellow Argentine’s Guillermo Canas. -->

by www.kommersant.com
Russian Article as of June 02, 2005

The Court, the Ball and the Weather Prevented Nikolay Davydenko to Win

2005-09-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Aug. 26, 2005

The Court, the Ball and the Weather Prevented Nikolay Davydenko to Win

Nikolay Davydenko, seeded as number one in New Heaven tournament, lost in second round to Juan Ignacio Chela from Argentina. There was a loss among the Russian women as well. Elena Likhovtseva lost to one of the tournament favorites Amelie Mauresmo and dropped out of competition.

-->Nikolay Davydenko never felt comfortable playing in hard courts. He is much better on the clay. The last Davydenko results on hard shows that in New York he has to try really hard to repeat his achievement in Roland Garros, where he advanced to the semifinals. On the hard court tournaments in Montreal, Cincinnati and New Heaven, Davydenko made just to quarter finals. Only once, in Cincinnati, he lost to the serious adversary – Lleyton Hewitt from Australia. In other two mathes, Davydenko lost to Slovak Karol Beck and Argentinean Juan Ignacio Chela. During the match with Chela Davydenko showed good tennis only by the end of the second set. However, by that time the match was lost.

Russian player did not put up the fight in the first part of the match. The score was 1 against 6. Davydenko tried to explain his bad fortune with three reasons: The courts and the balls are different in New Heaven than in Cincinnati,” the tennis player said. “And the weather is also a bit different here. I just could not get used to these conditions.” However, Davydenko was not too upset. “It is good that it happened here and not in US Open. Now, I’ll have more time to prepare myself to the main competition.”

In the mean time, Igor Andreev won in two sets over Olivier Roques. It was a tie-break twice and twice Russian player was taking over. He has a next match with Philipp Kohlschreiber from Germany.Elena Likhovtseva lost her match in the second round almost like Davydenko did –without much of a fight. However, her opponent was much more serious than Davydenko’s. It was Amelie Maurismo, who seeded in New Heaven as number two. The first number belongs to American Lindsay Davenport. -->
by www.kommersant.com
Russian Article as of Aug. 26, 2005

http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?idr=500&id=603832

Davydenko puts past behind, looks ahead

2005-09-14T19:58:00.000-07:00

Davydenko puts past behind, looks ahead

By Dustin DowMASON -

There's no magic formula for success on the ATP Tour. The simplest way to the top is to just win matches.Nikolay Davydenko was an obscure Russian tennis player with an overall career record of well below .500 until this season. But with a 43-20 record in 2005, Davydenko is suddenly No. 7 in the world and playing today in the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters."You can't win everything, but you can improve," said Davydenko, whose ranking has improved steadily the past five years. "You can play good, even to come into the semis, quarters, finals - why not?"A semifinalist in the French Open, Davydenko, 24, will play No. 3 Lleyton Hewitt tonight for a chance to reach the semifinals here.Davydenko's breakthrough season, however, has not been entirely blissful. Last month, the ATP cleared him of a match-fixing allegation that arose after he retired from a match against a good friend, Sargis Sargsian, when Davydenko was leading 6-1, 1-0.Gambling Web site Onthepunt.com reported that a bet of 4,000 euros was made on the underdog Sargsian five minutes before the match began, and that the bet was traced to a computer at the players' hotel in Gstaad, Switzerland.The Web site also reported, "Because of irregularities surrounding previous matches involving Sargsian, many bookmakers had not offered odds on the match."Davydenko, however, is 10-3 since losing that match July 4 and said the effects of dealing with the situation are minimal."I don't know," Davydenko said. "Maybe it's supposed to make me feel different, but it's everything the same. This year I play better, not like last year. I'm not thinking about why. It's not so easy to tell how something affects you mentally in your mind. All you're thinking about is the match."

Nikolay and Prince tennis apparel

2005-09-12T10:59:00.001-07:00

"Thanks for your interest. Nikolay is currently wearing our footwear and apparel....he loves the Freak shoe!!! He will continue to wear the product through the year. Thanks!!! ----- Forwarded by Web Tech1/PrinceSports on 09/08/05 09:20 AM -----

Open-Paradorn storms past sixth seed Davydenko

2005-09-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK, Sept 2 (Reuters) -

Unseeded Thai Paradorn Srichaphan upset sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko 6-4 7-5 6-3 on Friday to advance to the third round of the U.S. Open.
The 26-year-old Paradorn, ranked 51, ripped 45 winners in his victory over the Russian, who had reached the semi-finals at the French Open and the last eight at the Australian Open.
The Thai will next face Italian David Sanguinetti, who also vanquished a seeded player in number 31 Carlos Moya, the 1998 French Open champion.
Sanguinetti beat Moya 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticleSearch.aspx?storyID=213088+02-Sep-2005+RTRS&srch=Nikolay+Davydenko

World's No.5 Nikolay Davydenko to miss China Open due to injury

2005-09-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

World's No.5 Nikolay Davydenko to miss China Open due to injury
www.chinaview.cn 2005-09-06 16:23:38

BEIJING, Sept. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian's No.1 tennis player Nikolay Davydenko, ranked 5th in ATP rankings, withdrew from China Open due to injury, it was announced by the organizing committee here on Tuesday. The committee said it's sorry that after the withdrawal of defending champion Safin, another top tennis player from Russia was not able to come to play in China Open. Davydenko has been eliminated by Srichaphan in the 5th round of U.S. Open. According to the committee, Belgian Dick Norman will take the place in the tournament.

What’s on Kolya’s hook?

2005-08-26T22:13:00.000-07:00

What’s on Kolya’s hook?

The Russian team beat the French in the Davis Cup quarterfinal to a great extent thanks to our new leader – 24 year old Nikolay Davydenko. Roland Garros semifinalist, a player who stormed into Top 10 this year brought two points out of two for his team. The stadium roared “Kolya we’re with you!!!!” (ermmm I seriously think this girl was sitting close to LOL because that’s exactly what I was shouting all the time ROTFL) and Richard Gasquet after the match said that he was beaten by a player with “no weaknesses”. Kolya shook his head in response and said that he didn’t do anything extraordinary, he just fought for every single ball since it wasn’t only him he was playing for, it was for a whole team. It was Nikolay’s debut as a team leader and he didn’t let the guys down despite a right wrist injury.

“When Marat is in the team he acts like a 100% leader – he gives it all he has. I was first against France and that means injury or no injury, I had to fight till the end, I wanted to show my best tennis to my home crowd”.

Nikolay appeared on the team only two years ago. In that period of time the journalists seem to have found out everything about him. Where he lives, where he trains, about his brother Edward and a nephew Phillip and even about the fact that Kolya knows how to make house wine. Lately he’s been taken by a new hobby:

“I’ve become a true fisherman, fish for trout in Germany. This is the best rest ever for me. Excellent stuff! My Dad got me hooked up on this, who is a fishing addict. After Roland Garros him and my Mum came to visit. Not far from the town where we live there is a mountain river, so we went to try for a couple of hours. Caught a trout, which weighed about half a kilo. Cooked it at home and it was delicious, never ate anything tastier! My nephew never used to eat fish before, and suddenly his appetite had woken up too: it’s obviously more fun, you eat what you catch yourself. As soon I get home, I will buy a pair of big boots, so that I can get deeper into the water. I am gonna go fishing as much as I can now. How could I never have done this before? It’s because of the amount of tournaments, I never have time for anything. It’s really funny now, but when I came to Wimbledon, first thing I did was ask if there was much fish in rivers there, I regretted that I didn’t take my fishing rod with me. While I worked my butt off at Wimbledon my brother and my nephew managed to catch 5 fish without me! I was so jealous!

Edward coaches Phillip since he was very young, just like he did with me. That’s why he doesn’t go to tournaments with me very much now, just the very important ones, he dedicates a lot of time to his son. Without him I already managed to win a tournament in St. Peltzen. I do miss him a lot however. For example, I used to love training with my brother on the first days of the tournament, get used to the courts, the balls. If you have to make arrangements with some of the players, you have to tune up to them and that’s a bit uncomfortable. During the tournament you also want to brush up your techniques, to play slowly, no hurry, you cannot do that with players. On the whole though, I can’t complain, this year has been successful for me so far. Quarterfinals in Australia, a semifinal in Paris, a four-set win over Coria, which I consider to be the best match of my career. Some people brought me videotapes with matches recorded, so I have what to watch.

And now two victories for the Russian team in Moscow. As fishermen say if there is biting, you have luck on your hook.

Tennis+ Magazine Russia
Thanks to annie!!!

Second-seeded Mauresmo wins, top-seeded Davydenko loses

2005-08-24T22:28:00.000-07:00

Second-seeded Mauresmo wins, top-seeded Davydenko loses
By HOWARD ULMAN, AP Sports WriterAugust 24, 2005
AP - Aug 24, 9:39 pm
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP)

The top-seeded player in the men's draw couldn't avoid an upset as Juan Ignacio Chela overcame a big deficit in the tiebreaker and beat Nikolay Davydenko 6-1, 7-6 (5) in the second round.
Chela was cruising through the match, winning the first set 6-1 and leading the second 3-0, before Davydenko rallied. He won the next four games, but Chela held service to tie the set at 4-4.
In the tiebreaker, Davydenko, ranked sixth in the world, surged to a 4-1 lead but lost the next five points, two when he hit backhands into the net. Chela, ranked 50th, then hit a forehand into the net. But Davydenko ended a long rally -- and the match -- when his crosscourt forehand sailed wide.
Davydenko's baseline style helps Chela, who is unbeaten in four matches against him
That gives Chela `` lot of rhythm and that's the way (Chela) likes to play,'' the winner from Argentina said through an interpreter.
Davydenko increased the tension on his rackets for this tournament but, after falling far behind, switched back to one with less tension that gave him more control. Then, he started his comeback but broke a string late in the match and went back to one with greater tension.
``I don't know if it's me or the rackets'' responsible for the loss, Davydenko said.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ap-newhaven&prov=ap&type=lgns

Davydenko ousted in New Haven, Mauresmo cruises

2005-08-24T22:24:00.000-07:00

Davydenko ousted in New Haven, Mauresmo cruises
By Simon Cambers

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Top seed Nikolay Davydenko only had himself to blame when he was dumped out of the New Haven Open on Wednesday, his poor preparation leading to a 6-1 7-6 loss to Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela in the second round.
...
A rueful Davydenko, who reached the semi-finals at the French Open, said: "Today was my mistake.
"I came here from Cincinnati and here the balls and the courts are different, so I changed the tension on my rackets to give me more control.
"In practice, it was good but today the weather was maybe different and I couldn't do anything.
"I had made four of my five rackets tighter, for more control, but when it was 6-1 3-0, I changed to my old one and started to play well. Then I broke my string at 6-5 and had to use the new ones again.
"If I'd won the second set, I'd probably have lost 6-1 like in the first.
"It's better that it happened here than at the U.S. Open, and now I can rest a bit and prepare more."

Nadal in action Tuesday at Cincinnati tennis

2005-08-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

Nadal in action Tuesday at Cincinnati tennis
August 16, 2005

...Also Tuesday afternoon, No. 6 Nikolay Davydenko of Russia edged Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5. He awaits Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu, a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 winner over German Tommy Haas...

Updated on Tuesday, Aug 16, 2005 7:41 pm EDT

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=cincinnatitennis&prov=st&type=lgns

Zabaleta sends top-seeded Davydenko packing

2005-07-28T01:29:00.000-07:00

Zabaleta sends top-seeded Davydenko packing
July 27, 2005CBS SportsLine.com wire reports

Zabaleta won by converting his fourth match point in the final tiebreaker.
"It's simply wonderful. I played great tennis today and ousting the tournament top seed is just fantastic," Zabaleta said.
In the second set, Zabaleta lead 40-0 in the ninth game and was broken, but he broke back to 5-5 in the next game as Davydenko committed three unforced errors.
"I am very disappointed. I wanted to get very far here, but Mariano was too strong today," Davydenko said.
Also, Fernando Verdasco of Spain defeated eight-seeded Olivier Rochus of Belgium 7-5, 6-3 and Robin Vik of the Czech Republic beat 16th-seeded Paul-Henri Mathieu when the Frenchman retired while trailing 7-5, 1-0.

AP NEWSThe Associated Press News Service
http://www.sportsline.com/tennis/story/8680584

Zabaleta ousts top seed Davydenko

2005-07-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

Zabaleta ousts top seed Davydenko

Mariano Zabaleta of Argentina sent top seed Nikolay Davydenko crashing out of the Generali Open on Wednesday.
The Argentine converted his fourth match point to come through 6-4 7-6 (7-5) and reach the third round.
"It's simply wonderful," he said. "I played great today and ousting the tournament top seed is just fantastic."
Third seed Gaston Gaudio beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5 6-3, but fellow seeds Olivier Rochus and Paul-Henri Mathieu made early exits.
Fernando Verdasco beat eighth seed Rochus of Belgium 7-5 6-3, and Robin Vik beat 16th seed Mathieu when the Frenchman retired when trailing 7-5 1-0.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4721447.stm

Top-seeded Davydenko loses at Generali Open

2005-07-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

Top-seeded Davydenko loses at Generali Open
July 27, 2005
KITZBUEHEL, Austria (AP) -- Mariano Zabaleta upset top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 7-6 (5) Wednesday in the second round of the Generali Open.
Zabaleta won by converting his fourth match point in the tiebreaker.
In the second set, Zabaleta lead 40-0 in the ninth game and was broken, but he broke back to 5-5 in the next game as Davydenko committed three unforced errors.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ap-kitzbuehel&prov=ap&type=lgns

Davydenko Retires – Gaudio in Final

2005-07-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

23. July 2005
Davydenko Retires – Gaudio in Final -
For the second time in a row and the third time overall Gaston Gaudio has managed to reach the final of the MercedesCup. The Argentinean player clearly had the better start in the match against the No. 2 seed, the Russian Nikolay Davydenko. The 2004 French Open champion won the first set 6:3 and went into the second set with a very promising 2:0. Davydenko, No. 7 in the world rankings, who had already been treated by the tournament physiotherapist during the interval between the sets, was then able to take Gaudio’s service game, but finally had to give in to his illness. At a score of 2:1, the Russian retired, giving the Argentinean another chance to win the Mercedes-Benz champion’s car in the final. - In spite of the unusual turn the match had taken, Gaudio was very happy over his successful semi-final. “Of course I am sorry for him,” he said in view of Davydenko’s bad luck, “But of course it is much better for me.” Now he is concentrating on the final against Rafael Nadal. “That is a super situation to be able to play against him, to try to beat him and break his series of wins. And anyway, I will be playing here for the third time in the final. That means a lot of great things are going to happen tomorrow.” There is no doubt, continued Gaudio, that the Spaniard is the clear favourite for the coming duel. “But every match is different and writes a story of its own.” Irrespective of how the final ends, the three-time MercedesCup finalist is full of praise for Weissenhof, “I love this tournament.”

http://mercedescup.trendspurt.de/_press/?&block_id=2&activelevel=4&activelevel_2=0

Roddick Loses at Indy, Pulls From L.A.

2005-07-22T22:27:00.000-07:00

Roddick Loses at Indy, Pulls From L.A.
Posted on July 23, 2005

Top 3 Seeds Into Semifinals at ATP Stuttgart
The top three seeds advanced into the semifinals Friday at the ATP claycourt stop in Stuttgart with winners (1) Rafael Nadal (d. Zib), (2) Nikolay Davydenko (d. (11) Berdych), and (3) Gaston Gaudio (d. Zabaleta in three)."I think I played a very good match having a lot of confidence," Nadal said. "I was in control all the time, which is good for the confidence. Every match is difficult and different. I try to play my best in every match."Also into the semis was unseeded Fin Jarkko Nieminen who defeated Italian Andreas Seppi in straight sets.Nadal now has the most consecutive clay wins since Thomas Muster won 40 straight in 1995.Saturday's semifinal match-ups are (1) Nadal vs. Nieminen (first meeting), (3) Gaudio vs. (2) Davydenko (Gaudio leads 4-0), and in doubles Nadal/Verdasco vs. Hood/Robredo, and (WC)Beck/Rieschick vs. Acasuso/Prieto

http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2005-07-23/d.php

Nadal cruises to 32nd straight win on clay

2005-07-22T22:25:00.000-07:00

Nadal in top form again -- 32nd clay win in a row
By ROY KAMMERERJuly 22, 2005

...Second-seeded Nikolay Davydenko of Russia also advanced, beating Czech Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-2. In the semifinals, he will face third-seeded Gaston Gaudio, a 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 winner against fellow Argentine Mariano Zabaleta...

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ap-stuttgart&prov=ap&type=lgns

Alexander Waske: “It was incredibly difficult ”

2005-07-22T22:23:00.000-07:00

21. July 2005

Alexander Waske: “It was incredibly difficult ” Yesterday – before the match at the 27 th MercedesCup against No. 2 seed Nikolay Davydenko – Alexander Waske announced he would fight to the bitter end. And that is almost exactly what happened as the No. 121 in the ATP Entry List made life very difficult for the No: 7 in the rankings. “It started off very well. But it is really incredibly difficult to find a free spot where you can put the ball.” According to Waske, the Russian moves terribly quickly and returns very well. But especially in the first set, it was easy to forget the great difference between the two in the rankings. For a short time in the decisive phase it even looked as if the 30-year-old would surprise everyone and win the match. “At 6:5 and 0:30 I had him just where I wanted him. He was on the edge of the cliff and if I had been able to push him over at that point, perhaps he would have given up in frustration. But then he took four points in a row.” The Russian won the following tie break won 7:3 and in the second set he was able to counter Waske’s very fast and powerful game even better. After exactly one and a half hours, Davydenko managed to get into the quarter-finals with a score of 6:3.

http://mercedescup.trendspurt.de/_press/?&block_id=2&activelevel=4&activelevel_2=0

Davydenko Still Has Clean Slate – 6:4, 6:2 against Berdych

2005-07-22T22:20:00.000-07:00

22. July 2005
Davydenko Still Has Clean Slate – 6:4, 6:2 against Berdych - It only took Nikolay Davydenko one hour and 11 minutes to defeat young Tomas Berdych on Friday morning to get into the semi-final round of the 27 th MercedesCup. - Once again the No. 2 seed did not lose one single set and kept his clean slate at Weissenhof. Nineteen-year-old Berdych felt superiority of his five-years-older opponent from the very first game in the first set when Davydenko promptly took his service game. The Czech may have been able to stand up to him in his other serving games, but the set still went 6:4 to the Russian. The signs changed however in the second set, when Berdych was successful with his serves, starting the set with an open 2:2. Then the No. 7 in the world rankings took off and won the set easily 6:2.

http://mercedescup.trendspurt.de/_press/?&block_id=2&activelevel=4&activelevel_2=0

Nadal Extends Clay Winning-Streak to 30, Scores 100th Match Victory

2005-07-20T12:58:00.000-07:00

Nadal Extends Clay Winning-Streak to 30, Scores 100th Match Victory

...Nikolay Davydenko, who reached the semifinals here last year, defeated Spaniard Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-4, 6-1 to advance to the third round. The second seeded Davydenko is tied for fifth with fellow Russian Marat Safin in the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race.

Earlier this year, Davydenko won his fifth career singles title in St. Poelten and reached his first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros....

http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2005/stuttgart_wednesday.asp

Russia adopts Davydenko as latest Davis Cup hero

2005-07-19T13:55:00.000-07:00

Russia adopts Davydenko as latest Davis Cup hero
2005-07-18 13:38:17 GMT (Reuters)
By Gennady Fyodorov{MOSCOW, July 18 (Reuters) -

With Australian Open champion Marat Safin out injured and 2002 Davis Cup hero Mikhail Youzhny struggling for form, Russia have found a new leader in Nikolay Davydenko.

Davydenko won both his singles matches in the Davis Cup quarter-finals against France at Moscow's Olympic Stadium last weekend to guide Russia into the last four for the first time since 2002.

That year they went on to win the trophy by beating France in the final thanks to an amazing comeback victory by Youzhny. Last weekend the Ukraine-born and Germany-based Davydenko saved the day for his adopted country despite nursing a painful wrist injury.

The world number seven thrashed Paul-Henri Mathieu on opening day to level the best-of-five tie at 1-1, then on Sunday overwhelmed French teenager Richard Gasquet to even the score at 2-2 to set the stage for Igor Andreev to clinch a dramatic 3-2 win.

Unlike the telegenic Safin, Davydenko, who was born in the mining town of Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine, keeps a low profile.

His rise to prominence, culminating at this year's French Open where he reached his first grand slam semi-final, has been a hard slog.

Solid but unspectacular, Davydenko relies on his shot selection rather than brutal power in winning matches.

Russia Davis Cup captain Shamil Tarpishchev paid tribute to Davydenko's tactical wisdom and ability to read the game to achieve success."Davydenko doesn't have Safin's power, (Roger) Federer's finesse nor (Andy) Roddick's serve, so he has to work much harder than those guys for every point," Tarpishchev said.

"It's his brain that sets him apart from the rest."

While some players like to talk about their achievements and future goals, humble Davydenko keeps his thoughts to himself.

Asked if his aim was to become the world number one and win a grand slam title after his showing at Roland Garros, Davydenko said: "Every player dreams of one day winning a grand slam and becoming number one in the world, I'm no different. But my main goal is to keep improving and become a better player."

People who know the soft-spoken 24-year-old say his modesty stems from his childhood. He left home at the age of 10, joining his elder brother Eduard, who later became his coach, in Volgograd.

Then they moved to Germany, settling in the small town of Trir, near the French border, where Eduard got a coaching job.

Davydenko won his first ATP title in January 2003 in Adelaide and repeated his success at the Estoril Open three months later.That year he also made his Davis Cup debut against the Czech Republic in the World Group first round in Ostrava where he beat Radek Stepanek in the decider to clinch Russia's victory.

With Safin recuperating from knee surgery, Tarpishchev is sure to count on Davydenko to lead Russia once again when they take on Croatia in the Davis Cup semi-finals in September.

"You can always count on Nikolay to give 100 percent no matter what," Tarpishchev said. "That's the most any coach can ask of a player."

Annie's fan report from Davis Cup 2005

2005-07-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

OK here goes the report first.

Day 1
First of all my apologies to everyone who is waiting for photos but I have been a real idiot and left my camera yesterday at the office so there will be no photos from Day 1, but there will be many from days 2 and 3 I promise!!!!!!! My seats are fantastic so I am sure I will have good photo material for you Now about today.1. I am totally hoarse, I can hardly talk, I almost lost my voice so now I am whispering mainly ROTFL2. Andreev - Gasquet.Oh boy, I am now officially announcing that I am in love with that Russian boy LOL Everyone knew he would lose but noose expected it to be so beautiful. He fought like a man, some shots were like wow!!!! He is a real character, it got very tense in the third set and there was a slight light of hope there for us but Gasquet is Gasquet and Igor got a bit too nervous on a tie-break in the third set but anyway.....IGOR YOU'RE MY HERO AND WELL DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. Kolya - Matheu. HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!!!!!!! This is exactly when I lost my voice.....First set was equal but Kolya took advantage of some mistakes Paul-Henri made and he won it 7:5. Then in the second it was all way too obvious. Kolya picked up and Matheu looked lost, way too many mistakes from the French and as a result Kolya takes it 6:2 and that's when the fun started...NOT!!!!!!!!! Kolya leads 3:0 in the third set, then 4:0, then it's 5:2 and Kolya is serving....he has 3 MATCH BALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Half an hour later it's 5:5 and everyone is like WTF????????????? Then he takes a medical break and I say "Oh nuts...that's it..." but my boy isn't that easy to beat 7:5 in the third set to Kolya and it's 1:1 in all!!!!!!!!!!!!THANK YOU KOLYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU'RE GREAT AND WE ALL LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!So tomorrow it's my teddy bear Misha Youzhny and my new love Igor Andreev against Llodra and Clement. GOOD LUCK BOYS!!!!!!!!!!! I'LL BE WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!! I got to chat a little with Misha after Kolya's match and got his autograph too , he is such a darling!!!!!I am very lucky coz I sit right next to the extrance of players, so I see everyone really close!!!!Some funny observations today:Misha has something up his patata all the time ROTFL, the guy cannot sit still for a second, I am telling you!!! He's always turning, looking at someone, talking to someone, jumping up and down..hilarious!!!Gasquet has his hand in his mouth 24/7!!!! That guy is constantly biting his nails!!!! LOLPhew...I am so excited I have no idea how I am going to sleep tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!More reports on Monday and GO RUSSIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!KISSES EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!

From Heaven to Hell and Back in 72 hours

Well, my dearest friends, sit down, fasten your seatbelts and we're off to re-live last weekend at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow. This is part 2 of my DC report and I apologise from the start if it may come too long, but God knows how many feelings and emotions I have piled up inside of me I also apologise for the quality of photos I am going to post a bit later, but the lighting in that place is awful for taking photos and my camera is not a professional or a big one, so some are not too good. I am going to scatter them around the message board. Group photos I will post them here, photos of separate players alone I shall post in their respective threads in Dinara and Other Players. Enjoy!!!!

Saturday, July 16. Hell breaks lose

Woke up in the morning in a brilliant mood, sun was shining, birds were singing, I got up, had my breakfast, got dressed, got my camera (!!! yay!!!!) and off I went. The score was 1:1 and I had all the reasons in the world to be optimistic.

So I got to the Stadium, went to my seat, the madness started. Teams came out and the crowd went wild. Tension was very high, you could see Igor being on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Poor thing, I mean he played his first match ever for Russia on Friday and lost, so I think he was really determined not to let the team down again. My Teddy Bear Misha was his usual self. Confident, serious and always having conversations...with himself LOL or with Igor. I must say that this is not the first time I watched Misha play doubles live and I must absolutely certainly say that in doubles he is really something. The way he winds himself and his partner up is incredible, if his partner makes a mistake, he is always cheering him up, always talking to his partner....marvellous...a real character.

At a certain point the game got a bit ugly, it is inevitable in doubles I guess, but you should have seen the atmosphere...Llodra made a few shots and they all went straight into Misha's body (once a bit below the waist actually and I was getting VERY worried there ), poor thing apologised about 600 times but Misha won't be Misha if it didn't drive him insane. For about half an hour after that Teddy Bear performed miracles....smashes one after another, into feet of Frenchmen, their bodies, everywhere...the guy was on a roll!!!!!!! Too bad it ended quickly and he calmed down, because at one point I thought he was going to kill them lol....WELL you all know the result of that one...it was soooooo sad. Misha was shattered, Igor just tried too hard to do well and....mistakes...quite too many...BUT the public was grateful. Noone could have said they didn't do their best or they didn't play full strength...it's just that Llodra and Clement are much better doubles players and Russia for many years now haven't had a stable doubles pair, but the boys were great.....it was indeed a sad sad day.

Sunday, July 17. Back to Heaven we go or Who Is Gasquet Again?

I went to bed at 1am on the night from Saturday to Sunday. I woke up at 5am and that was it, didn't sleep for a split second. I was feeling so sick with anxiety I didn't know what to do with myself. I got up, made tea and couldn't drink it. Tried to have breakfast and couldn't, tried to watch TV, but ermm don't remember what was showing. I was feeling so sick, I wanted to go to the loo and throw up (I'll be honest with you I tried LOL..didn't work..ewww) Hubby had to work on Sunday so he left early and I started to get ready. I was ironing the DC t-shirt I had bought the day before and I actually realised that I am reminding myself of a warrior getting ready for a battle Seriously, I have no idea what on earth was going through Kolya's and Igor's minds that day because me being just a fan....well I don't wish my state upon my worst enemy...

I got to the stadium (don't ask me how, I don't remember) and the worst thing hapenned. I was in my seat and in front of me there were these 2 men, I think one of them was a tennis coach or something, and they started going on and on how they don't see Russia getting a single point today and how both matches would be lost. On any other day I would have kept my mouth shut but not yesterday. I excused myself and told them that I am actually wondering WTF were they doing there in the first place if they were so certain. With an attitude like that, this was not the place to be, and even if they think it is, I asked them to keep their little "I know it all" talk to themselves, because we, the fans are not really amused sitting their listening to their "optimistic" rambles. I think they so didn't expect it that they actually apologised ROTFL I wished it all stopped there and then but another riot between me and some fans took place later (LMAO I was on a roll!!!!) but I'll get to it later

So Kolya and Gasquet were up first. Half an hour into the match noone had any doubt of who the winner will be. Sickness went in an unidentifiable direction and I was my good old self screaming my gutts out It was a beautiful beautiful match. Kolya's strategic abilities are something out of this world. Gasquet??? The guy who beat Federer in Monte Carlo??? Not anymore...Gasquet is the guy Kolya Davydenko having a wrist injury smashed all over the CLAY court in Moscow Poor Richard looked so lost. He couldn't do anything and I mean anything...Kolya was saving balls, which were out of this world...it was incredible....I haven't seen anything so beautiful on a tennis court for a while now....amazing!!!!! So 4 sets later (6:2, 4:6, 6:2, 6:1 !!!!!!! ) it was 2:2 and the stadium was going wild......this is when I started to worry again....

I went outside for a ciggie and to call hubby to tell him the good news and as I was coming back I saw Igor in the hall going into the changing room. This was a sight I will never forget. Poor thing...he was green pale and looked sooooo nervous. I mean just think about it. You just turn 22, they tell you that this time you will HAVE to play for Russia and be a no 2 in the team after Kolya because Misha is still recovering from his leg injury and Marat is injured, and now your whole country is waiting for you to perform a miracle. Oh I felt sooooo sorry for him. A quarter of an hour later he got out of the changing room and we bumped into each other again, I smiled and told him "Good luck Igor. You can do it!", he turned, looked at me, smiled and said "Thank you.I'll do my best" That was a moment when I knew he would win. The amazing makeover that took place in the changing room (ermm a CHANGING room it was indeed) I don't know what it was...I don't know what the guys did to him but that look in his eyes was so devilish and naughty that I just knew he was more than ready for a battle.When Igor and Matheu got out on court, I cannot tell you what was going on in the Stadium, hell broke lose, the French fans with their drums, songs and cheers wearing the same t-shirts, waving flags, etc. could not be heard for the first time in 3 days, Russians went wild, all you could hear was "Russia!" and "Igor" and that kept going till the match finished. Before I tell you about the match I promised I would tell about that little riot I had. There were these 2 girls sitting next to me for all the 3 days and one of them was telling me how Igor is going to lose now and what an idiot Marat is to have started his knee treatment before DC when he could have easily done it after. Ermm I am not going to tell you my little speech I made but I guess you all have a pretty good idea ROTFL...

So it began...1:0, 2:0, 3:0, 4:0 that boy was unstoppable. He was on such a high that I think if you put a tank in front on him that day he would have moved it. I swear to God I never shouted so loudly in my entire life, I was up on my feet throughout the whole game and every time he came on the side of the court I was sitting behind, all you could hear was me weeping my lungs out (ermm the screaming story actually has a continuation but this will come later ). Half an hour later 6:0 and the crowd is even wilder than it was before...

Everything went right for Igor, everything!!! No matter what he did, it worked. Paul-Henry was in shatters, he was shocked, pissed off and totally disoriented. He managed to take his serve for the first time when it was 3:1 Igor leading in the second set And another hour later 6:0, 6:2, 6:1. The match point was a beauty...Igor hit an ace right into the line, fell flat on the ground and could not believe what he had done. Misha, Kolya and other boys all ran out on the court and started hugging, jumping and throwing each other in the air LOL....I just sat there motionless...I just felt like a ton fell off my shoulders and for a few seconds I couldn't move, I was feeling so tired LOL....then I got up on my chair with my feet and jumped and screamed and shouted like mad.... It was one of the brightest moments of my life. They have proved to themselves that they are worth something even without their number 1, they were so happy, and so were the fans.

I stayed behind after everyone had gone with a few other fans and it was great. I got autographs of Misha and Kolya and Igor. Kolya was in a real rush though and left straight after, Misha stayed roaming around for a while and I chatted to him a little, then we all waited for Igor to come out and when he did, I went to get my autograph and tell my congrats, I went up to him and told him "Well done!!! This really was something. You are our hero and we are really proud of you". He looked at me and said "God, I recognise your voice, you were cheering behind me throughout the whole game. You were incredible and a great help. Thank you". It is moments like these tennis fans should live for

Throughout the whole weekend I thought about Marat, how great it would have been if he was there even as just a spectator and support, but the thing is I know he WAS there, in his spirit he was always there....

I was going home with a massive grin on my face, with my autographs, photos and memories stuck in my bag and my head and I thought of Marat's comments after Misha's win in Bercy 3 years ago and I must say I totally agree....it was indeed better than sex LMAO

This is Annie' fan report.

RUSSIA d FRANCE 3-2

2005-07-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

RUSSIA d FRANCE 3-2

Down 1-2, Russia stunned France with a comeback in which Igor Andreev claimed victory with a 6-0, 6-2, 6-1 win over France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu in the fifth rubber .
The Russian comeback began Sunday when Nikolay Davydenko overcame France’s rising teen star Richard Gasquet 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. Russia’s Davydenko avenged an earlier loss this year to Gasquet when the two battled in Monte Carlo. With the win, Davydenko brought the rubber to a 2-2 tie.
Andreev, who lost to Gasquet in the first rubber and also lost in doubles action with partner Mikhail Youzhny, sealed Russia’s fate when he earned his team a spot in the semifinals for the first time since 2002. Russia’s win marked the second time in four years that it won both final day’s singles against France.
Russia, who will be looking to win its first Davis Cup title since 2002, will next face Croatia.

http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2005/daviscup_qf2.asp

Russia stun France 3-2 in Davis Cup

2005-07-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

Russia stun France 3-2 in Davis Cup

(adds quotes, detail)
By Gennady Fyodorov
MOSCOW, July 17 (Reuters) - Understrength Russia staged an inspired comeback to win both reverse singles and edge France 3-2 in their Davis Cup quarter-final on Sunday.
World number seven Nikolay Davydenko overwhelmed French teenager Richard Gasquet 6-2 4-6 6-2 6-1 to square the tie at 2-2 before Igor Andreev crushed Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-0 6-2 6-1 in the deciding fifth rubber.
France were leading 2-1 after winning Saturday's doubles but nothing could stop Davydenko and Andreev on Sunday.
Russia also beat France in a similar fashion in their last encounter, the 2002 final in Paris, when Mikhail Youzhny came from two sets down to beat Mathieu in the decider to clinch their first Davis Cup title.
The Russians, who were missing Australian Open champion Marat Safin to a knee injury, now take on Croatia in the last four in September.
Davydenko, who had been nursing a painful wrist injury in the last few weeks, dominated from the start, breaking a nervous-looking Gasquet twice in the opening set.
The Russian also led 4-2 in the second before the 19-year-old Frenchman found his range, winning four consecutive games to even the score.
Two wild forehands from Gasquet in the third game of the third set handed Davydenko a vital break and the Russian never looked back, sealing victory after two hours and 24 minutes.
"I was very tired from playing on Friday and after the second set I simply ran out of gas," said Gasquet, who beat Andreev in straight sets on his Davis Cup debut in Friday's opener.
PERFECT MATCH
"Davydenko also played a perfect match," added the world number 17, who made 69 unforced errors and committed eight double faults on Sunday.
Andreev, bitterly upset with his performance on Friday, turned his game around against Mathieu.
The Muscovite, urged on by a highly-charged home crowd including former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, came out firing, reeling off eight straight games before Mathieu finally registered on the scoreboard by breaking back in the third game of the second set.
It was only a short reprieve, however, as Andreev continued his barrage from the baseline, sending his opponent to the showers in less than two hours.
"I don't know if this was the best match I've ever played but definitely it was the most important so far in my career," said the Russian, who turned 22 on Thursday.
Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev was full of praise for Andreev.
"I just want you to know, Mathieu is a good clay court player and he didn't play a bad match, Andreev was just too good today," Tarpishchev told reporters.
"I didn't hesitate a minute to play him in the last match because I knew that Youzhny is not in good physical shape and would not last more than four sets."
France captain Guy Forget was left to rue missed chances.
Asked if he had any regrets at playing Mathieu in the decider, Forget said: "I wish I had (French number one Sebastien) Grosjean in my team."
"Actually I thought about playing (Arnaud) Clement or (Michael) Llodra but Clement is only ranked 100 in singles and Llodra also is more of a doubles player, so there was little I could do to change things," he added. "But we have nothing to be ashamed of. We tried our best and hopefully next time it'll be our turn to come on top."
Updated on Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 1:28 pm EDT

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=reu-davisrussia&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Davydenko takes it to the wire in Moscow

2005-07-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

Davydenko takes it to the wire in Moscow

The last time France and Russia played each other in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas it went to a live fifth rubber, and the same is happening again, following Nikolay Davydenko's 62 46 62 61 win over Richard Gasquet.Davydenko's second victory of the weekend levels the score in this evenly-matched tie, but the fifth rubber won't be a repeat of the 2002 final in Paris, when Mikhail Youzhny beat Paul-Henri Mathieu in five sets. Mathieu is on court, but Youzhny has been left on the sidelines, Russia's captain Shamil Tarpischev opting for Igor Andreev to decide his country's fate.Davydenko was on fire from the start against Gasquet. He had break points in the opening game of the match, and while Gasquet saved both those, the Russian broke in the third, and then recovered from 0-40 to hold for 3-1.With Davydenko leading 6-2 2-0, Gasquet looked a forlorn figure. He seemed immobile in the first set, which looked like nerves but he later said was tiredness from the nervous tension of his win over Andreev on Friday. His big forehand was missing too often, he had no depth on his sliced backhands, and the accuracy of Davydenko's serving was making it a very one-sided affair.But having held serve for 1-2, Gasquet fought himself back into the match. He began to show more patience, and wait for the moment to inject pace. At 3-4 he got his reward. Having held serve at 2-4, he won 12 of the next 14 points to level the match, and at that stage a French victory seemed the more likely outcome.But when Davydenko broke in the third game of the third set, Gasquet suddenly felt his legs and the Russian crowd - by far the biggest of the twin-tie weekend involving Fed Cup and Davis Cup - found its voice again. A further break saw Davydenko race through the third set, and break in the first game of the fourth.When Gasquet had break points to get back to 2-2, a repeat of the second set looked possible, but whereas Gasquet had found patience in the second, he lacked it in the fourth, and too many wild shots missed their target. He was broken three times in the fourth set, the match ending with Gasquet putting a backhand tamely into the net."I think I proved today that I really am a top ten player, whether for myself in a tournament or in a team," said Davydenko, who first shook hands with the former Russian president and avid tennis fan Boris Yeltsin, and then spent about 10 minutes signing scores of autographs among eager fans straining over the front row of seating to get a taste of the man who, in the absence of Marat Safin, has done justice to the tag of Russia's No 1.

http://www.daviscup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?id=13319

Russian final day jinx strikes again against France

2005-07-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Russian final day jinx strikes again against France

Russia completed a stunning comeback against France on Sunday to reach the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semifinals after Igor Andreev defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu 60 62 61 in the decisive fifth rubber.Very seldom does a team come back from 1-2 down to win both final day's singles, but Russia did it for the second time in four years against France, repeating their success from the 2002 Davis Cup final with two emphatic final day wins.First Nikolay Davydenko beat Richard Gasquet 62 46 62 61 to level the tie, and then in a remarkably one-sided fifth rubber, Andreev trounced the luckless Mathieu to send Russia into an away semifinal against Croatia.That score takes some explaining! For the first eight games the decision by Russia's captain Shamil Tarpischev to play Andreev instead of Mikhail Youzhny was unquestionably correct, as all eight went to Andreev. He was as much on fire as Davydenko was in the first of the day's matches, going for the lines and hitting them with intense regularity, hardly recognisable from the figure who played so tentatively against Richard Gasquet on Friday.But the fact that the first set took 37 minutes for 60 showed that Mathieu wasn't as far out of it as the score suggested. He was serving poorly, and was being punished for playing a good three metres behind his baseline. But the difference between the two players was sufficiently slight that once Andreev's level dropped, Mathieu would have his chance. "That's what I kept telling him," said France's captain Guy Forget, "we knew Andreev couldn't keep that level up for ever."Mathieu broke at 0-2 in the second set to register his first game, but was then unable to hold serve. By the time he did, he was a set and 4-1 down, but by then Andreev was at least making a few mistakes. The match seemed ready to be competitive, but several turning points passed without the match turning. Andreev led 2-0 in the third set, and Mathieu again broke having been 40-15 down. But again he failed to hold serve, as Andreev kept up a solid level of play and Mathieu seemed remarkably unimaginative and horrendously error-prone. There were plenty of chances for the Frenchman, but he didn't win another game, and Andreev finished the job with an ace as the clock showed two hours.Earlier Davydenko had signalled his intention from the first point. He led Gasquet 62 42, with the 19-year-old Frenchman seeming immobile - it looked like nerves but he later said it was tiredness from the nervous tension of his win over Andreev on Friday. His big forehand was missing too often, he had no depth on his sliced backhands, and the accuracy of Davydenko's serving was making it a very one-sided affair.But Gasquet then won four games on the run to level the match, and at that point he looked the likelier winner. Remarkably he won just three more games, as Davydenko, in the absence of Marat Safin, did justice to the tag of Russia's No. 1 by winning both his singles."I think I proved today that I really am a top ten player, whether for myself in a tournament or in a team," said Davydenko, who first shook hands with the former Russian President and avid tennis fan Boris Yeltsin, and then spent about ten minutes signing scores of autographs. Yeltsin later joined Russia's on-court celebrations, forming an eight-man conga made up of the four Russian players, two reserves, Tarpischev and the jubilant Yeltsin.Though the French were understandably disappointed to lose, their travelling supporters behaved impeccably, and chanted "Igor Igor" when Andreev left the court after his decisive victory.

Davydenko Evens Russia-France Davis Cup at 1-1

2005-07-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

Davydenko Evens Russia-France Davis Cup at 1-1
Posted on July 16, 2005

Russia's Nikolay Davydenko made good on his word Friday in Moscow, returning from a wrist injury to even the Davis Cup tie between Russia and France at 1-1 after day one of play.

Without former No. 1 Marat Safin who is recovering from knee surgery, Russia was at a disadvantage entering the tie until Sebastien Grosjean pulled out on the opposition's side citing exhaustion.Davydenko beat historic French choker Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-5, 6-2, 7-5 after France's 19-year-old phenom Richard Gasquet gave the visitors the lead with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(1) win over Russian Igor Andreev."I wanted to play solidly from the baseline and make him make the mistakes," Davydenko said, needing six match points to complete the job. "The only time I didn't do that was in the third set, but I re-found my game plan in time to win in three sets."It was difficult to tell whether stress or injury caused Gasquet to suffer wrist problems during the match, with Gasquet himself pointing to the former, trying to shrug off nerves."I had stress cramps in my right wrist," Gasquet said. "I've been thinking of this match for the past 10 days, I've been so keen to play, and I think this can happen. But I'm so pleased to have won, I played nearly a perfect match."Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra are scheduled to face Andreev and Mikhail Youzhny Saturday in the doubles.-- Tennis-X.com

http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2005-07-16/k.php

RUSSIA v FRANCE

2005-07-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

RUSSIA v FRANCE

In his Davis Cup debut, 19-year-old Frenchman Richard Gasquet shook off any signs of freshman nerves defeating Russia's Igor Andreev 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(1) to give France a 1-0 edge.
Nikolay Davydenko, playing in Russia's No. 1 position for the injured Marat Safin, has been beset by his own injuries since his semifinal appearance at Roland Garros but showed little wear in bringing the tie even into Saturday's doubles rubber at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow. He defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-5, 6-2, 7-5.

http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2005/daviscup_qf1.asp

Gasquet wins in Cup debut; Davydenko gets Russians even

2005-07-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

Gasquet wins in Cup debut; Davydenko gets Russians even

July 15, 2005CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
MOSCOW -- Nikolay Davydenko defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-5, 6-2, 7-5 to draw Russia level with France at 1-1 after the opening singles in a Davis Cup World Group quarterfinal Friday.
Earlier, French teenager Richard Gasquet gave his country a 1-0 lead, marking his Davis Cup debut with victory over Igor Andreev 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-1).
"That's the least I could have expected," said French captain Guy Forget. "One-all -- it's still very open."
Davydenko, leading Russia in the absence of Marat Safin who has a knee injury, saved two break points in the eighth game of the first set and then two more in the tenth before breaking Mathieu to go 1-0 up in the match.
The Russian, ranked seventh in the world, then made quick work of Mathieu in the second set, winning four consecutive games for a 2-0 lead on the temporary clay court at Olympic indoor stadium.
In the third set, Davydenko jumped to a 5-2 lead and served for the match, but Mathieu, ranked 57th, saved two match points and broke back.
He saved three more match points on Davydenko's serve and leveled the set at 5-5. But the Frenchman made two unforced errors to leave Davydenko serving for the match again. The Russian closed it in 2 hours and 59 minutes when the Frenchman netted a backhand.
"I won because of my confidence, because I'm in the top-10 and can win even if I'm not in my top form," said Davydenko. "I knew that Mathieu was not a tough player and running for every ball was enough to beat him."
Davydenko had 11 aces to Mathieu's five.

http://www.sportsline.com/tennis/story/8647122/2

Davydenko brings Russia level with France

2005-07-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

Davydenko brings Russia level with France

By Gennady Fyodorov
MOSCOW, July 15 (Reuters) - Nikolay Davydenko levelled Russia's Davis Cup quarter-final against France at 1-1 by overpowering Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-5 6-2 7-5 on Friday.
Earlier French teenager Richard Gasquet, making his Davis Cup debut, gave the visitors a 1-0 lead by thrashing Igor Andreev 6-4 6-3 7-6 in the opening rubber.
After a tight opening set which lasted over an hour, Davydenko took complete control against Mathieu, breaking him twice to take a two-set lead on the clay court at Moscow's Olympic Stadium.
The world number seven, cheered on by an enthusiastic home crowd including former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, then broke his opponent twice more in the third to build a 5-2 lead before the Frenchman staged a late rally.
Mathieu saved two match points in the eighth game and three more in the 10th to level the score at 5-5 before the Russian finally sealed victory on his sixth opportunity two games later in just under three hours.
Davydenko said he had always been confident of beating Mathieu despite nursing a wrist injury.
"I'm a top 10 player, I've played many tough matches in the past so I was not nervous despite my injury," he said.
"Actually the wrist felt pretty good today and I have to thank the doctors for that, although I'm still afraid to volley. That's why tomorrow I don't think I'll play doubles where you need to volley a lot."
The Russian said he had been hoping to finish the match early.
"I know my game is still not 100 percent and I didn't want to go into the fourth set, to run for another hour, that's why I think at 5-2 I started rushing my shots a little bit and wasted five match points," he said. "But I'm glad I was able to re-group at 5-5."

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=reu-davisrussia&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Davydenko cancels out France's lead

2005-07-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

Davydenko cancels out France's lead

Shamil Tarpischev's gamble in playing Nikolay Davydenko paid off, as the Russian No 1 in the absence of Marat Safin beat France's Paul-Henri Mathieu in straight sets to level the Russia v France quarterfinal at 1-1 after the first day.Davydenko had played just two matches since getting to the French Open semifinals in early June, both resulting in retirements due to an inflammation of his wrist. But both the wrist and his legs held up under the pressure of having to make good a 0-1 deficit, Davydenko beating Mathieu 75 62 75 after receiving treatment for mild thigh cramps early in the third set.The result cancelled out Richard Gasquet's impressive Davis Cup by BNP Paribas debut, the 19-year-old Frenchman having earlier beaten Igor Andreev 64 63 76(1) to give France the early lead.Though this tie is being played indoors in Russia's Olympic Stadium, Davydenko and Mathieu played to the sound of thunder rumbling outside, as the humidity of a hot Moscow afternoon broke. And it was Mathieu who threatened to strike like lightning as he opened up seven break point opportunities in the first set, two of them set points at 4-5 on the Davydenko serve. But on the first he hit a backhand into the net, and on the second a forehand landed in the same place. In the next game the Russian broke, and was never behind after that."That was my tactic," said Davydenko afterwards. "I wanted to play solidly from the baseline and make him make the mistakes. The only time I didn't do that was in the third set, but I re-found my game plan in time to win in three sets."Leading 5-2 in the third set with a double break, Davydenko had two match points, but conceded his serve for the first time in the match. At 5-4 he had three more but conceded his serve again as Mathieu seemed to relax. But Davydenko broke for 6-5, to end Mathieu's impressive run of three successive Davis Cup victories dating back to his five-sets win over Carlos Moya last September.Gasquet's win must count as one of the most impressive Davis Cup debuts in recent years. The 19-year-old could have been forgiven for being a little nervous, but there were no signs of it early on. In fact it took until the third game for him to make an unforced error, and the only time the nerves set in were at the end when he squandered a 4-2 lead in the third set, before recovering to run out a 64 63 76(1) winner.But the nerves could have played a bigger part. "I had stress cramps in my right wrist," Gasquet said afterwards. "I've been thinking of this match for the past 10 days, I've been so keen to play, and I think this can happen. But I'm so pleased to have won, I played nearly a perfect match."Gasquet received treatment at 3-2 in the third set after dropping his racked in pain after a smash. He held for 4-2, but then Andreev played his best tennis of the match. He broke back and forced Gasquet to serve twice to stay in the third set. But once the set was in the tiebreak, the Frenchman clearly felt he had weathered the storm, and another effective dropshot allowed him to finish the tiebreak - and the match - for the loss of just one point."I don't know what I could have done differently," said Andreev, paying a compliment to his opponent. "He was just too solid. He was too good."France will start favourites for the doubles, with Arnaud Clément and Michael Llodra named to face Andreev and Mikhail Youzhny. France's captain Guy Forget said he expected Davydenko to come in to partner Andreev, as the two play regularly on the tour, but Davydenko suggested after beating Mathieu that his wrist would need a day's rest, especially as he feels it most on the volley and there are a lot more volleys in doubles than in singles.

http://www.daviscup.com/news/matchreport.asp?id=13301

Davydenko's wrist causing headaches for Russia

2005-07-14T20:29:00.000-07:00

Davydenko's wrist causing headaches for Russia

With three days to go before Russia and France play for a place in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semifinals, the health of Nikolay Davydenko's wrist is still causing concern among the Russian camp.Already missing Marat Safin, who is taking four weeks off to let a knee inflammation heal, the Russians are heavily dependent on Davydenko, who was a semifinalist at Roland Garros and whose position of fifth in the ATP Champions Race testifies to the fact that he is having the best year of his career.Davydenko withdrew from his second round match at Wimbledon against Jonas Björkman because of an inflammation in his left wrist. He rested the wrist before heading to Gstaad, where, after taking the first set 6-1 in his first round match against Sargis Sargsian, the problem flared up again."Nikolay will be ready to play on Friday," said Russia's captain Shamil Tarpischev, who, having celebrated Russia's Fed Cup semifinal triumph over the USA last weekend, is looking to become the first captain of any nation to steer his country to Fed Cup and Davis Cup success in the same year.But the confidence from the players was less convincing. Mikhail Youzhny, who is expected to play second singles behind Davydenko or first ahead of Igor Andreev if Davydenko can't play, said: "I don't know who's going to be in the team. Marat has an injury, and we don't know about Nikolay's injury." Davydenko himself said: "The doctors have said it needs a few more days of rehabilitation. I should be fit to play Friday, but we'll see."Davydenko's problem presents a further headache for Tarpischev, who was at pains to stress that "Marat Safin is not out of the team, he has never refused to play for Russia, he is just injured". But Safin played on all three days of Russia's first round win against Chile, and his absence inevitably prompted the question about who would represent Russia in the doubles. "Davydenko and Andreev have played together on the tour," said Tarpischev, "but it could also be Youzhny and anybody else."If Russia's injury problems are adding to France's attractiveness with the bookmakers (some of whom are making France favourites to lift the Davis Cup in December), the French captain Guy Forget is taking no notice. The master tactician is still talking about Russia being the favourites, and talks about his own team as a "team of the future", with Richard Gasquet playing his first Davis Cup match on Friday, and Gaël Monfils brought along for the experience.Even without Sebastien Grosjean, who is on holiday with his family to recover from an intense French Open and Wimbledon period, France look to have a strong team, with Gasquet and Paul-Henri Mathieu likely to play singles, and the doubles specialist Michael Llodra certain to team up on Saturday with Arnaud Clement, who is sporting a new severely cropped haircut in Moscow. "I like it because I like the feel of the hair grease on my hands," Clement joked at a news conference on Tuesday.At that conference, Russia's journalists inevitably wanted to probe Mathieu about facing Youzhny, the man who came back from two sets down to beat the Davis Cup debutant Frenchman in the fifth and decisive rubber of the 2002 final. "It's no big deal," said Mathieu, "that was three years ago, and I've played Mikhail since then." Yes, but he has a 0-3 head-to-head against Youzhny, and their only meeting since the 2002 final ended in victory for Youzhny after Mathieu had again taken the opening set.The speculation as to who will play will end on Thursday lunchtime when the draw is made. But Youzhny added a note of caution for those looking to pre-judge the tie: "I tell you," he said, "I think everybody from our team and everybody from the French team can beat everybody in this match."

http://www.daviscup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?id=13261

Davydenko doubt hits Russia's plans

2005-07-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

Davydenko doubt hits Russia's plans

The 2002 champions, who had already lost Australian Open champion Safin with a knee injury, could also be without Davydenko, who is nursing a painful wrist injury.
The French Open semi-finalist, however, said he would be fit for the tie on clay at Moscow's Olympic Stadium.
"I'll be ready to play come Friday and unlike Wimbledon, I'll finish the match no matter what. I can promise you that," said Davydenko, who retired injured from his second-round match against Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman at Wimbledon last month.
But Russia's world number seven, who also retired from his opening match at last week's Gstaad Open with the same problem, would not disclose the details of his injury.
"No, I won't go into the specifics," he said. "All I can say is that it is being treated on a daily basis.
"I was told that I don't have any ligament damage. It's just an inflammation of a joint, so I should be okay for Friday."
If Davydenko is unable to play, Tarpishchev would have to look to Mikhail Youzhny to reproduce his 2002 heroics.
Then, Youzhny came from two sets down to beat Paul-Henri Mathieu in the deciding fifth rubber in Paris to clinch Russia's first Davis Cup title.
France captain Guy Forget, who is looking to rising teenage talent Richard Gasquet to spearhead the French challenge, refused to accept that the injuries gave his team the edge.
"I don't think you can call us favourites," he said. "With Marat in the team Russia are certainly one of the best teams in the world but even without him, they're still an unbelievable team, no question about it.
"We have a young, ambitious team," added Forget. "If we play good quality tennis, then we have a chance."
The tie will be the first meeting between the two nations since Russia's victory in the 2002 final at Bercy.

http://www.eurosport.co.uk/home/pages/v4/l2/s57/sport_lng2_spo57_sto741267.shtml

Davydenko to play through pain

2005-07-14T20:23:00.000-07:00

Davydenko to play through pain

The world number seven, nursing a wrist injury, will play number one for Russia after Australian Open champion Marat Safin pulled out of the squad with a knee injury.
"The wrist is better," Davydenko said after Thursday's draw, which pits him against Paul-Henri Mathieu on Friday.
Russian number two Igor Andreev plays French teenager Richard Gasquet.
"I'm going into the match with Mathieu intending to finish it and not only to finish it but to win it," said Davydenko, who retired from his last two matches because of the injury.
"I'm going to give it all on Friday and we'll see what happens after that."
Gasquet will be making his Davis Cup debut on clay at Moscow's Olympic Stadium. The 19-year-old reached the world's top 20 for the first time after winning his maiden ATP title in Nottingham last month.
He has posted some impressive victories this season, including beating world number one Roger Federer on clay in the Monte Carlo Masters.
"Of course right now I feel a bit nervous, but tomorrow when I step on the court I'm sure I'll be ready to fight," said the French number one.
France captain Guy Forget backed Gasquet.
"The ones who are playing singles have the best results on clay this season," said Forget.
"I think it's the wisest choice. It seems logical."
RUSSIA SURPRISE
Meanwhile, Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev surprised observers when he picked Davydenko over 2002 Davis Cup hero Mikhail Youzhny.
"The fact is that every one of our players is ready to play but we decided to go with Andreev and Davydenko to make it more difficult for our opponents and at the same time to give our team more options," Tarpishchev said.
The tie is the first meeting between the two nations since the 2002 final when Youzhny came from two sets down to beat Mathieu in the deciding fifth rubber in Paris to clinch Russia's first Davis Cup title.
Forget, a losing captain in 2002, was philosophical about that defeat.
"Of course, it is still a big memory for us but a lot of things have happened since," he said.
"It was a great sporting event which we lost in a fair manner and we all, including myself, have learnt from it. But now we have a new team which has a bright future."

http://www.eurosport.co.uk/home/pages/v4/l0/s57/e7329/sport_lng0_spo57_evt7329_sto741917.shtml

Four of the five seeded players in action on Monday advanced during first round play of the Internationaler BTM Power Grand Prix in St. Poelten.

2005-07-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

16. Mai, 2005• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Four Seeds Advance, No. 3 Andreev Upset • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Four of the five seeded players in action on Monday advanced during first round play of the Internationaler BTM Power Grand Prix in St. Poelten. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Argentina's Jose Acasuso was the only player to upset a seed on Monday as he took out No. 3 Igor Andreev 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Top seed Nikolay Davydenko advanced with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Slovakian qualifier Michal Mertinak. Breaks of serve in the third and ninth game of the opening set put Davydenko up early. The players exchanged breaks early in the second set, but Davydenko, who faced only two break points all day, prevailed in straight sets.
Davydenko advances to play Sjeng Schalken, who was a winner yesterday. Schalken owns a 2-1 advantage all-time against the Russian, including a three set win in Marseille in February.
Austrian native and No. 4 seed Jurgen Melzer defeated countryman and wild card entrant Marco Mirnegg 6-3, 6-1. Melzer broke in the second game and led 3-0 before Mirnegg leveled the match at 3-all. Mirnegg proceeded to lose seven consecutive games, to put the match out of reach.
Fifth seed Mariano Puerta defeated Alex Calatrava 7-5, 6-2. After Puerta took a 4-1 lead, Calatrava battled back to make it 4-4, but Puerta recorded his third break of the opening set in the decisive 12 th game. A break in the fifth game of the second set secured Puerta's victory.
Seventh seed Potito Starace downed Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-6 (2) to advance to the second round.
Nicolas Almagro bested big-serving Ivo Karlovic in a pair of tie-breaks for a 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3) win, while Spanish wild card Felix Mantilla outlasted countryman and qualifier Francisco Fogues 7-6 (10), 7-5.
Gilles Muller advanced after taking the first set when Albert Montanes retired with a lower back injury. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, and David Sanchez were also winners on Monday.
In doubles, the top seeded team of Cyril Suk and Pavel Vizner advanced with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Daniel Koellerer and Peter Luczak.
Also winning in doubles were the teams of Graydon Oliver and Jared Palmer and that of Petr Pala and Tomas Zib.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID...
Davydenko: "I am happy that I won quite easily today because I feel really tired. I am coming off a strong week in Hamburg last week and it was not easy to be fit on the court today."
"My goal this week is to play relaxed and to try to rest and recover from last week."
"My next match is against Sjeng Schalken, it will be difficult. He doesn't like to play long points and tries to go for winners most of the time. I hope I will be in good form."
Copyright © ATP

http://www.atpstpoelten.com/english/index.html

Acasuso, Rochus Work Overtime to Reach Semifinals

2005-07-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

19. Mai, 2005• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Acasuso, Rochus Work Overtime to Reach Semifinals• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Argentine Jose Acasuso and Belgian Christophe Rochus both survived ‘double duty’ on Thursday to advance to the semifinals of the Internationaler BTM-Power Grand Prix in St. Poelten.
Acasuso defeated fast-rising Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 6-4 in their rain-delayed second round meeting and then backed up to beat German qualifier Michael Kohlmann 6-2, 7-6(5) in the quarterfinals.
Acasuso took and early 4-0 lead and held serve to close the first set 6-2. In the second set, both players held serve until the tie-break. Acasuso served 5 aces and 2 double faults and never faced a break point in the first set and saved both break points in the second set.
In the semifinals Acasuso will meet top seed Nikolay Davydenko, who defeated Felix Mantilla6-3, 7-5.
Rochus has followed up his surprise run to the Masters Series Rome semifinals by reaching the St. Poelten semifinals. Like Acasuso, Rochus had to win two matches Thursday, first defeating Davide Sanguinetti 6-3, 6-3 in the second round and then Guillermo Garcia Lopez 6-3, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
Rochus next meets fourth-seeded Austrian Jurgen Melzer, who needed more than two hours to defeat Spanish qualifier David Sanchez 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. Sanchez took an early 2-0 lead in the final set but Melzer broke back at 2-3. Sanchez broke again in the seventh game but lost his serve right back and lost three consecutive games and the match.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID...
Davydenko: "The key today has been my plan for the whole week. Try to play short point, hit some winners and serve well."
"I have been playing many matches lately and after Hamburg I was really tired. I feel already much better because I played three good and short matches which helped me to recover from last week. This is great preparation for Roland Garros next week."
Acasuso: "The key today was that I kept my concentration in the two matches, this morning against Nicolas Almagro and this afternoon against Michael Kohlmann. I saw that Kohlmann was a little tired after all the matches he played here and I focused on controlling the points and making him run as much as possible."
"I play next against Nikolay Davydenko who is a very tough opponent. He has been playing extremely well lately, but I feel really confident and am playing well at the moment so I believe in my chances."
"I am feeling well physically. I am happy about my game these past days, winning matches is really good for me and probably the best preparation right before Roland Garros."
Melzer: "Today I never stopped fighting and believing in myself and this why I won because I think I played today my worst tennis in this past year. At the end, in the last three game I played a little better, put some pressure on his backhand, came in to the net and made him hit a few passing shots. “
“If I play Christophe Rochus tomorrow, it will be difficult because he is in good form at the moment. I think it will be a similar game to today.”
FRIDAY PREVIEW Top seed Nikolay Davydenko will look to convert his fourth semifinal appearance of the season into his first ATP final of the year when he meets Jose Acasuso in today’s St. Poelten semifinals. The Russian is appearing in his third semifinal of the European clay court swing (Barcelona, Hamburg).
Davydenko has won four career titles, including Munich and Moscow last year.
Acasuso is appearing in his second semifinal of the year (Buenos Aires). The Argentine’s two career titles have both come on clay: Bucharest (2004) and Sopot (2002).
In search of his first ATP title, fourth seed Jurgen Melzer will appear in his third semifinal of the year when he plays in-form Christophe Rochus. Melzer recently reached the semifinals of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships (l. to Roddick).
Belgian Christophe Rochus is 13-10 on the year and is fast closing on his career-best season of 15-23 in 2000. He has won between 10 and 15 matches a season for the past five years.
Rochus last week achieved his best career result by advancing to the semifinals of Masters Series Rome (l. to Gasquet).Copyright © ATP

http://www.atpstpoelten.com/english/index.html

Davydenko and Melzer to Meet in Final

2005-07-14T16:22:00.000-07:00

20. Mai, 2005• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Davydenko and Melzer to Meet in Final• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Local favorite Jurgen Melzer and top seed Nikolay Davydenko advanced at the Internationaler BTM-Power Grand Prix on Friday to reach their first ATP final of the year .
Melzer was the first player to clinch a final berth, recording a straight-set victory over in-form Belgian Christophe Rochus.
Seeded No. 4, the 23-year-old Austrian, who was playing in his third semifinal of the year (San Jose, Houston) needed 1 hour, 11 minutes to defeat Rochus, 6-4, 6-3.
In the second semifinal, top seed Nikolay Davydenko recorded a third career win over Argentine Jose Acasuso to advance to his first final of the year.
Davydenko, who has shown great form on the European clay in the past weeks, having reached the semifinals of Barcelona and Hamburg, booked his place in the final with a 6-4, 6-2 win in 1 hour, 20 minutes.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID...
Davydenko: “In the first set I wasn't feeling great. I wasn't concentrating at ll on the match, my body was tired and feeling strange but I managed to win it in the end which made things easier.
In the second set, I got more into the match, started to play and feel better and foughtevery single point which allowed me to close the match easily.”
About playing Jurgen Melzer in the final: “I expect a difficult match tomorrow but I think that if I am not tired and fit I can win any match. I will definitely try to be more concentrated and not make any silly mistake.”
Melzer: "What made the difference today is that I played much better than the last couple of days, and from the very beginning I put a lot of pressure on his serve forcing him to come up with good shots to hold serves. When we were rallying from the baseline I tried to come in as much as possible and it worked well. I know I don't play everyday like, but I really feel that today there is not much to say about my game.”
About being in his second career final: “It will be for sure a tough match for me because I lost to both guys once this year. If I play like today I really think I can win this match, and especially in front of the home crowd, I am going to do everything I can to win.”
On his condition: “It has been a tough week for me. I have played many matches in singles and doubles. I am still in both draws, but when you are in front on home crowd, everything is fine.”
FINAL PREVIEW:
No. 4 seed Jurgen Melzer is looking to lift a first career trophy in front of his home crowd when he takes on top seed Nikolay Davydenko.
23-year-old Melzer, who is playing in his second career final after Newport 2003 (l. to Robby Ginepri) is hoping to record a first career win over the Russian from Moscow, to whom he has previously lost once (2005 ATP Masters Series Monte-Carlo).
Melzer, who is playing in St. Poelten for the fifth time, recorded his best result in 2004 when he lost in the semifinals against Xavier Malisse, and now holds a 9-4 singles record at the tournament.
Currently ranked No. 10 in the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race, Davydenko is hoping to clinch a first title of 2005 and fifth overall career title (Adelaide, Estoril – 2003; Munich, Moscow – 2004).
The 2003 St. Poelten finalist (l. to Andy Roddick), is looking on Saturday to improve his 2005 record to 27-14.
Copyright © ATP

http://www.atpstpoelten.com/english/index.html

Davydenko Captures First 2005 Title

2005-07-14T16:21:00.000-07:00

21. Mai, 2005• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Davydenko Captures First 2005 Title • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Top seed Nikolay Davydenko became on Saturday the twelfth champion of the Internationaler BTM-Power Grand Prix in St. Poelten after claiming a three-set victory over local Jurgen Melzer.
The Russian needed two hours and 50 minutes to defeat the No. 4 seed 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 and recorded a second career win over the Austrian, whom he had previously defeated in Monte-Carlo earlier this year.
The Russian, who is currently ranked No. 10 in the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race, seemed to have the upper hand when he led 3-0 in the final set, but the lefty Austrian came back to 3-3. They then held serve until Davydenko took Melzer’s serve in the last game.
No. 4 seed Jurgen Melzer was looking to lift a first career trophy in front of his home crowd. The Vienna native, who is turning 24 on Sunday, was playing in his first final of the year and second overall career final (Newport 2003), having reached the semifinals in San Jose and Houston earlier in the season.
On his way to the final Davydenko defeated Michal Mertinak, Sjeng Schalken, Felix Mantilla and Jose Acasuso while Melzer took care of Marco Mirnegg, Gilles Muller, David Sanchez and Christophe Rochus.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID...
Davydenko: “It feels great to finally win a first trophy this year. This final was really difficult but I am feeling great at the moment and my confidence level is good which is the most important thing.”
“Before Roland Garros this is great for the confidence although it is a little bit hard physically. The day after tomorrow I could be playing my first round in Paris and it doesn’t give me much time to celebrate and fully recover from this week."
“I am off to Paris tonight, I will try to hit a few balls tomorrow in order to get used to the conditions and it would be great if I can get a Tuesday start over there.”
Melzer: “I am of course disappointed, it is never easy to lose in a final 6-4 in the third. I think I played a great match and Nikolay was just the most active player at the end and that was what made the difference in the match today.”
“I came back from 3-0 love down in the third set but unfortunately he didn’t let me use the momentum and he played great tennis. “
“This is definitely a great week and a confidence boost before the Roland Garros but it also means a lack of fitness in Paris. I played many matches this week, a lot of three setters and both singles and doubles, it is a lot of matches.” I am leaving to Paris tomorrow and I really hope I can get a Tuesday start over there.”

http://www.atpstpoelten.com/english/index.html

RUSSIA v FRANCE

2005-07-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

...
RUSSIA v FRANCE

In what is a repeat of the 2002 World Group final, Russia will be hoping to repeat its dramatic victory over the French when the two nations go head-to-head for the fifth time (tied 2-2) in Davis Cup competition. Mikhail Youzhny was the hero for Russia at the Palais Omnisports in Paris Bercy, coming back from two sets down to defeat Paul-Henri Mathieu in the fifth rubber to hand Russia its first – and so far only – Davis Cup. Youzhny, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, again lines up again against France, teaming up with Roland Garros semifinalist Nikolay Davydenko, Igor Andreev and Tiemuraz Gabashvili. Davydenko will be hoping to recover from his right wrist injury that forced him to retire from matches at Wimbledon and Gstaad.
Guy Forget’s French team is led by the experienced Arnaud Clement, with teenage star Richard Gasquet hoping to make his Davis Cup debut. The 19-year-old Gasquet, who reached the ATP Masters Series Hamburg final before capturing his first career title on the grass courts in Nottingham, has risen to No. 17 in the INDESIT ATP Entry Rankings after reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon. Mathieu, the hero for France in the 3-2 first round win over Sweden, also returns along with ‘s-Hertogenbosch finalist Michael Llodra.
...

http://www.atptennis.com/en/newsandscores/news/2005/daviscup_preview.asp

Gasquet set for Davis Cup debut

2005-07-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

Gasquet set for Davis Cup debut

Ten years after appearing on the cover of France's leading tennis magazine as the nine-year-old hope of French tennis, 19-year-old Richard Gasquet is finally set to make his Davis Cup debut. Gasquet opens against Russia's Igor Andreev in a Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinal for which the draw reads:
Igor Andreev (RUS) v Richard Gasquet (FRA)
Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) v Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)
Igor Andreev/Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) v Arnaud Clement/Michael Llodra (FRA)Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) v Richard Gasquet (FRA)
Igor Andreev (RUS) v Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)
For many, Gasquet's first appearance in tennis's premier team competition was an inevitability, but Gasquet has come through a rough couple of years since announcing his presence as a 16-year-old at the 2002 Monte Carlo Masters, where he thrilled local fans with a three-sets win over Franco Squillari, then ranked 51.This year he has been one of only three players to have beaten Roger Federer, that also coming at Monte Carlo, where his win from match point down announced that he had put behind him a troublesome period which saw a series of injuries, two changes of coach, chicken pox, and a few classic teenage problems of graduating from childhood to adulthood.With Andreev's name first out of the pot at Thursday's draw in Moscow's Olympic Stadium, Gasquet is well set to give France a winning start, if he can justify his ranking of 17, compared to Andreev's of 46. Their one previous match, won by Andreev on the grass of London's Queen's Club last year, is of little consequence given the strides Gasquet has made this year.The only surprise in the draw was that Andreev was nominated in place of the higher-ranked Mikhail Youzhny (27th), but the feeling among the several dozen journalists attending the tie in Moscow is that Russia's captain Shamil Tarpischev may well be holding Youzhny back for a possible fifth rubber against Paul-Henri Mathieu, the man he beat from two sets down to give Russia its first and so far only Davis Cup title in a dramatic final in Paris three years ago.But for that to happen, Nikolay Davydenko will have to play both his singles, and his presence on the opening day is something of a gamble by Tarpischev. Davydenko may be the world No 7, and his Champions Race position of 5th testifies to the fact that 2005 is the best year of his career. But the French Open semifinalist has retired from his last two matches - in Wimbledon and Gstaad - with an inflammation to his right wrist. "I may have some pain," he said after the draw, "but I'm sure I can get through one match. Then we'll see."Davydenko, playing his first Davis Cup tie as Russian No. 1 due to the absence through injury of Marat Safin, tests his wrist in the second of the opening day's singles against Paul-Henri Mathieu, the Frenchman who despite being ranked just 57th has won his last three Davis Cup matches , defeating Carlos Moya, Joachim Johansson and Thomas Johansson.If Davydenko can't play on Sunday, then Youzhny will be needed against Gasquet, unless Tarpischev brings in the Davis Cup rookie Teimuraz Gabashvili, a 20-year-old with a ranking of 211.France's captain Guy Forget continues to say Russia is a slight favourite, though it's hard to believe him looking at the draw. Forget has the one clear advantage in the presence of the experienced Clément and Llodra in the doubles, as Youzhny and Andreev have never played together. But Forget believes Davydenko and Andreev - a regular pairing on the tour - will face the French on Saturday, assuming Davydenko's wrist comes through Friday's test.It could be that the destination of this quarterfinal rests with how a few tendons in Davydenko's right arm behave over the next three days.

http://www.daviscup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?id=13290

Wrist injury forces Davydenko to retire

2005-07-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

Wrist injury forces Davydenko to retire

All seemed to be going according to plan for top seed Nikolay Davydenko when he won the first set of his match against Sargis Sargsian 6-1. But one game later, the Russian was forced to withdraw from their first round encounter with a wrist injury.

It was a bitter blow for Davydenko, and a major disappointment for the crowd at the Allianz Suisse Open, who only a set of the Russian’s brilliance to enjoy. After Davydenko had won the first set convincingly, he lost the first game in the second. Shortly after that, he signaled to the umpire that he would be forced to withdraw because the pain in his wrist was too severe....

http://www.swissopengstaad.com/e/cms/show.php?pid=841&tmpl=news

Davydenko retires from Swiss Open

2005-07-08T02:51:00.000-07:00

Davydenko retires from Swiss Open

Associated Press Posted: 2 days ago

GSTAAD, Switzerland (AP) - Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko retired with an injured wrist Tuesday against Armenia's Sargis Sargsian in the first round of the Swiss Open.
The Russian had won the first set 6-1 and was leading 1-0 in the second when he withdrew.

Italy's Potito Starace knocked out the sixth-seeded Jiri Novak 6-3, 6-7 (3), 7-5.

Second-seeded Gaston Gaudio from Argentina defeated Swiss wildcard George Bastl 7-5, 6-2, and fifth-seeded Ivan Ljubicic from Croatia beat Brazil's Ricardo Mello 6-3, 6-2.

The 24-year-old Davydenko is enjoying the best season of his career, breaking into the top 10 after reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros this year. He also won his fifth career title in St. Poelten, and reached semifinals in Doha, Barcelona, and the Masters Series in Hamburg.

Last month a similar injury forced Davydenko to retire from his second-round match against Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman at Wimbledon.

Previously, Sargsian had won only two matches this season - defeating David Sanchez at the Australian Open and Bobby Reynolds in Indian Wells.

The Armenian has not won back-to-back matches since last year's U.S. Open where he beat Alex Corretja, Nicolas Massu and Paul-Henri Mathieu, before losing to Andre Agassi.

In other first-round play, Romania's Razvan Sabau eliminated Swiss wildcard Michael Lammer 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, and Spain's Feliciano Lopez defeated Russian Igor Andreev 7-5, 6-3.

Also in first-round play, Italy's Andreas Seppi defeated Austria's Stefan Koubek 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6), and the Czech Republic's Jan Hernych eliminated Hugo Armando from the United States 7-5, 6-3.

The Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermak defeated Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-5, while Peru's Luis Horna knocked out Czech Thomas Zib 7-6, 6-4.

Spain's Fernando Verdasco defeated Jaroslav Pospisil from the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-4.

http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/3737506

Roland Garros 2005 Day 10 - Puerta and Davydenko Both Win In Five Sets

2005-07-06T20:53:00.000-07:00

Roland Garros 2005 Day 10 - Puerta and Davydenko Both Win In Five Sets

Mariano Puerta and Nikolay Davydenko moved into the semifinals of the French Open, and for that matter any Grand Slam, for the first time in their respective careers and will play each other for a place in the final against either Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.Puerta became the fourth Argentine in the last two years to get to the semis. He came back from two sets to one down to beat compatriot Guillermo Canas 62 36 16 63 64."It's something very special to find yourself in the semifinals," said Puerta. "When I got to Paris two weeks ago, I had the idea I was going to make it to the second week. It's something that I can't even realise yet. I can't believe I've reached the semifinals, and I really want to enjoy this moment and prepare myself the best possible for the best semifinals."Puerta's is making up for missing out on last year's French Open when he was in the middle of a suspension for having tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol at the tournament in Vina del mar in 2003. He was out of the game from the beginning of October, 2003 to July 2004. His ranking nose-dived to 440 in August of that year. He came into the tournamentranked 37 which is still shy of his career best of 18 back in August, 2000. This French Open is his first Grand Slam since the 2004 US Open."I don't really feel bitter. I almost forgot it. I don't really remember the bad things I went through, something that I've overcome," said Puerta. "I'm very happy with what I'm achieving today. I just don't think back, don't waste my energy in that and remember things that passed. I think they help me a lot to be stronger psychologically today, since every victory for me is even more important."Puerta said that he enjoyed the match with Canas. They have been friends since childhood because they played at the same club as children. As Puerta suggested, "it was a friendly match.""In tennis, there isn't a tiebreaker, there's always a winner, you can't equalize," said Puerta, who ten years ago this week was runner-up to another countryman, Mariano Zabaleta in the French junior final. "This time it was my turn, and I'm very happy. I hope that some other time he will make it to the semifinals. He's an excellent player. "On the court, I experienced things that I had never experienced before. I had never played against such a good defender, a good receiver as Canas. I think he's one of the best with a defensive game in the world. For the first match point, I was almost desperate. I played the point just absolutely perfectly, and I couldn't understand how he could come crosscourt. And then I managed to get it across, and he passes me. "So he really played perfectly. And when I didn't make it, well, I felt really bad. I was desperate, because I thought anything can happen. I played the point perfectly and I didn't win it. But, luckily, I just kept my cool, and that was very important because I reached another match point and, luckily, I made that one. I could say that I played the points well, so I'm very happy. I think this is like a revenge."And there was a bit of prophecy on the part of Puerta. When he saw the draw soon after it was made, he knew he had a tough start against Ivan Ljubicic. He said that if he got past Ljubicic he would make the semifinals.Canas felt there was only a very small difference between them. He said that Puerta played the important points better and played solid tennis. Canas said he didn't do that enough and overall "he play a little better than me"."I was disappointed," said Canas. "My expectation was to be in the semifinals, and it was a very tough battle between the two of us. I think I did everything I could do to be in semifinals. When the match ended, I think I felt disappointment, some small disappointment. But it's a tennis match and somebody has to lose."Nikolay Davydenko has given himself a 24th birthday present a day early and celebrated his brother's 35th birthday on the day by coming up with many happy returns to beat Tommy Robredo in three hours 18 minutes. The match ended on the Russian's fourth match point when Robredo hit a backhand wide 36 61 62 46 64."The feeling is ... I don't know. After the match you are really tired, no feeling," said Davydenko. "Tomorrow I have 24th birthday and we will see. I have no match, so the day off for me is good, because I do my present now for my brother who is here. I won the match and reach the semifinals so for him it is a good present. It's good for me that I didn't play my match on my birthday, if I lose, I don't like."Davydenko should have won the match in four sets because he served for a 5-3 lead after breaking Robredo in the seventh game. However, the Spaniard broke back to make it 4-4, he held serve and then broke again to level the match. The Russian got off to a good start by going up an early break. "The key to the match was fight, fighting, like try to fight for every ball and try to do something that you can do," said Davydenko. "Robredo play good from the baseline. He moved well. After this 4-3 game he play unbelievable. He make all winners. I got the pressure on me and it was difficult to find something."Even when Davydenko broke in the fifth Robredo kept in touch and was moving the Russian all over the court with topspin ground strokes. Davydenko thought he could have lost that set 62 because he was feeling tired. He had thoughts of it not being his day. Davydenko refocused with his concentration and kept fighting. He gave it one more push and used the last ounce of energy and it paid dividends."I am feeling happy and it is my first time in a Grand Slam semifinal and I reach top ten next week. It is good and important," said Davydenko.Meanwhile, French Open women's semifinalist Justine Henin-Hardenne has undergone blood tests and doctors have suggested she needs to cut down on the tournaments she is playing. The Belgian, who spent most of last year suffering from a viral illness is now not going to play anything before Wimbledon. She will take about six weeks off after Wimbledon and probably play just two events before the US Open.To visit the the ITF's Roland Garros Page please click here - news archives and tournament details can be found there.The Official Roland Garros website at www.rolandgarros.com carries live scoring, schedules and draws, along with comprehensive event information.

http://www.itftennis.com/abouttheitf/news/newsarticle.asp?id=13303

Perfect birthday gift delights Davydenko

2005-07-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

Perfect birthday gift delights Davydenko
Jun 2 2005
By Isabelle Rondeau At Roland Garros

Nikolay Davydenko bustled into his first Grand Slam semi-final in the French Open and will face unseeded Argentinian Mariano Puerta for the right to contest the men's singles crown.
Spain's Tommy Robredo was Davydenko's victim yesterday, with the Russian 12th seed prevailing 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 after three hours and 18 minutes of high-intensity tennis.
Davydenko will celebrate his 24th birthday today, preparing for tomorrow's semi-final and with the knowledge that he is assured of a top-ten ranking next week.
Davydenko steamrollered Tim Henman en route to the Australian Open quarterfinals at the start of the year, where Andy Roddick ended his run, and he has since reached semi-finals at tour events in Doha, Barcelona and Hamburg.
"I am so happy because this is the first time I have reached the semis of a Grand Slam," he said. "I will also be part of the top ten and that's very important for me."
Davydenko admitted he felt empty after his win, one of the toughest of his career.
"I was so tired after the match that I had no feeling whatsoever about it," he added.
"The key of the match was that I maybe fought even harder than him. I had to battle on all points.
"Robredo plays so well from the baseline. I thought I would win in the fourth set but after I broke him he started playing incredibly well.
"In the fifth, when I was leading 2-0, I felt better but he fought back again.
"I got more and more tired but I tried to play my best on my last serve when I was leading 5-4 and finally it worked."
Puerta's arrival at the semi-final stage comes as a surprise.
He eliminated compatriot Guillermo Canas, the ninth seed, in another five-set thriller, coming through 6-2, 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 after three hours and 35 minutes of hard toil.
Davydenko already has a psychological advantage to take into their match, having defeated Puerta in straight sets in the Hamburg Masters Series event at the start of May.
Like Davydenko, it will be a first Grand Slam semi-final for Puerta, who is stepping up his comeback after being banned for nine months between October 2003 and July 2004, having tested positive for clenbuterol during a tournament in Vina del Mar.
He has leapt from 440th to 37th in the world since returning to the tour.
"Being in the semis is like a revenge for me," said Puerta.
"I don't feel bitter about what happened; I don't waste my time thinking about the past.
"I have overcome what I went through. It allowed me to be stronger.
"When I was not playing, it was a very tough time to go through.
"It was strange not to be allowed to play tennis. I worked very hard to come back."
Davydenko and Puerta will inevitably concede top billing tomorrow to the semi-final between world No 1 Roger Federer, of Switzerland, and Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal.
Nadal, winner of five tournaments already this year, turns 19 tomorrow.

http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/sport/tm_objectid=15583640&method=full&siteid=50002&headline=perfect-birthday-gift-delights-davydenko-name_page.html

Top seed Davydenko retires from Swiss Open

2005-07-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

Top seed Davydenko retires from Swiss Open
AP Worldstream; Jul 05, 2005
Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko retired with an injured wrist Tuesday against Armenia's Sargis Sargsian in the first round of the SwissOpen.The Russian had won the first set 6-1 and was leading 1-0 in thesecond when he withdrew.Davydenko retired from his second-round match against Sweden's JonasBjorkman at Wimbledon last month with a similar injury.The 24-year-old Davydenko is enjoying the best season of his career,breaking into the top 10 after reaching the semifinals at RolandGarros this year. He also won his fifth career title in St. Poelten,and reached semifinals in Doha, Barcelona, and the Masters Series inHamburg.Previously, Sargsian had won only two matches this season _ defeatingDavid Sanchez at the Australian Open and Bobby Reynolds in IndianWells.The Armenian has not won back-to-back matches since last year'sU.S. Open where he beat Alex Corretja, Nicolas Massu and Paul-HenriMathieu, before losing to Andre Agassi.In other first-round play, Romania's Razvan Sabau eliminated Swisswildcard Michael Lammer 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, and Spain's Feliciano Lopezdefeated Russian Igor Andreev 7-5, 6-3.

http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg117735.html

AUSTRALIAN OPEN – Interview with Nikolay Davydenko

2005-07-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

AUSTRALIAN OPEN – Interview with Nikolay Davydenko
/noticias.info/
A. RODDICK/N. Davydenko 6 3, 7 5, 4 1 (ret.)
An interview with: NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO
THE MODERATOR: First question, please. Q. What happened during the match? NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Just, I don't know. Start first set, about I think 3 All in the first set, then I feeling something. Because we play short points. This was okay. And then one few points was long and I feeling something, I cannot breathe. For me, today was really hot. I don't know how feeling. It's no breathe, and then everything just only for one I cannot running, I cannot control my ball, everything. Just I am missing everything. And I try something to do, just call doctor, maybe something happen, something maybe better feeling. But, yeah, I take break, five minutes. It was okay. Started. I break Roddick in the second set. But only one long points, that's it. And then I can play few, like four or five point I can lose. I don't know with him, but maybe something problem with me, maybe. I don't know. But I want to check. Q. Just because it's hot? NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. Because if I take break about like for one, for two minutes, then first two, three points was okay. I can play. I can control everything. But then something is coming, coming so bad and then feeling everything really not so good. Q. What did the doctor give you in that inhaler? NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: It was is something like was for asthma. Was doping, yeah. He give me something like for the match maybe helping something, but this was not so helping. Q. Have you had asthma for a long time? NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, no, I never get. Q. Andy Roddick said that he was aware that you might have breathing difficulties because you mentioned it after one of your previous matches. He said he would never tell anybody if he had that sort of problem because it would give his next rival some kind of extra boost. Do you regret letting people know? NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, no, no. Just one problem maybe is for me I start to play okay, I say I have good tennis now. Just preparation, and fifth match. But I don't know. Weather was really hot today, yeah? I don't know, Roddick feeling okay. For him I see he make short everything, good points, long, short points, he make he get better some feeling from body. For me, today was difficult. Because I play not with Roddick today, I play by self, I play with weather. Just only like these points. I didn't concentration now of match. I now concentration of my body, how I feeling, what I do, and what I need to do later. Q. Do you think it's only because of the sun, of the heat? NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah. Because doctor said it was the heat. Q. If the roof was closed, do you think you would have been okay? NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, if the degrees not like today, like maybe till 30, is be better for me because it was today for me hot. Q. Have you had the same problem before this game? NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Not like problem. But sometimes if very hot, you can't play long points, yeah? You try to play short points because is really hot. You can't run so good. And then like today was, yeah, we try to do short points. From Roddick was okay. He make from serve, make like try to do short points, just on the serve, yeah, make aces, and then hitting balls, second serve, then try to make winners, yeah? For me was also, I want to try to do the same, but this was difficult.

http://www.autralianopen.org

Injured Safin to lead Russia against France in Davis Cup

2005-07-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

Injured Safin to lead Russia against France in Davis Cup

MOSCOW, July 4 (Reuters) - Australian Open champion Marat Safin will lead Russia in this month's Davis Cup quarter-final tie against France despite a knee injury.
"Marat is in the team and should play against the French if, of course, his injury would not get worse than it is right now," Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev told Reuters on Monday.
Tarpishchev also named French Open semi-finalist Nikolay Davydenko, 2002 Davis Cup hero Mikhail Youzhny, Igor Andreev and newcomer Teimuraz Gabashvili for the July 15-17 tie on clay at Moscow's Olympic arena.
Safin has been troubled by pain in his left knee in the past two months and even contemplated surgery but then decided to carry on.
Davydenko, who surprised many tennis experts to reach the last four at Roland Garros, has also been suffering from a wrist injury, forcing him to default from his Wimbledon's second round match against Jonas Bjorkman last month.
France captain Guy Forget named French number one Richard Gasquet along with Paul-Henri Mathieu, Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra after Sebastien Grosjean had pulled out because of fatigue.
The Moscow tie will be the first meeting between the two nations since Russia edged France 3-2 to clinch their first Davis Cup title in Paris in 2002 when Youzhny came from two sets down to beat Mathieu in the deciding fifth rubber.
Updated on Monday, Jul 4, 2005 6:00 am EDT

Safin out of Russia's Davis Cup tie with knee injury

2005-07-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

Safin out of Russia's Davis Cup tie with knee injury
MOSCOW, July 6 (Reuters) -
Australian Open champion Marat Safin has pulled out of the Russia team for this month's Davis Cup quarter-final against France with a knee injury.
Safin's official website reported on Wednesday that the world number five will have a small operation on his left knee to repair a tear in the ligament.
Earlier this week, Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev named Safin in the team along with French Open semi-finalist Nikolay Davydenko, 2002 Davis Cup hero Mikhail Youzhny, Igor Andreev and newcomer Teimuraz Gabashvili.
Davydenko also looks doubtful for the July 15-17 tie on clay at Moscow's Olympic arena after the world number seven retired from his opening match at the Gstaad Open on Tuesday with a wrist injury.
France captain Guy Forget named French number one Richard Gasquet along with Paul-Henri Mathieu, Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra after Sebastien Grosjean had pulled out because of fatigue.
The Moscow tie will be the first meeting between the two nations since Russia edged France 3-2 to clinch their first Davis Cup title in Paris in 2002 when Youzhny came from two sets down to beat Mathieu in the deciding fifth rubber.
Updated on Wednesday, Jul 6, 2005 7:20 am EDT

Top seed Davydenko retires from opening match

2005-07-06T11:33:00.000-07:00

Top seed Davydenko retires from opening match
(Adds detail, quotes)

GSTAAD, Switzerland, July 5 (Reuters) - Top seed Nikolay Davydenko retired from his opening match at the Gstaad Open on Tuesday against Armenia's Sargis Sargsian with a wrist injury.
The Russian had won the first set 6-1 of the first round match on clay and was 1-0 up in the second when he pulled out.
A similar injury to his right wrist forced Davydenko to retire from his second round match against Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman at Wimbledon last month.
"There was more pain before," Davydenko said referring to his injury at Wimbledon.
"I probably could have won today but then I probably would have had to retire in the second round so it wouldn't have made sense.
"I'll have an MRI scan tomorrow and take the next five days off but if everything is okay after that I should be alright for the Davis Cup," he said.
Russia meet France in their Davis Cup quarter-final in Moscow from July 15-17.
Updated on Tuesday, Jul 5, 2005 6:14 am EDT

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=reu-gstaad&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Wrist injury knocks top-seeded Davydenko out in Gstaad

2005-07-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

GSTAAD, Switzerland -- Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko dropped out of the Swiss Open due to an injured wrist during his first-round match against Armenia's Sargis Sargsian on Tuesday.
The Russian won the first set 6-1 and was leading 1-0 in the second when he retired...

http://www.sportsline.com/tennis/story/8622148

DAVYDENKO ENDS MELZER RUN

2005-06-27T20:13:00.000-07:00

ATP TOUR 2005

DAVYDENKO ENDS MELZER RUN

Russian Nikolay Davydenko ruined Jurgen Melzer's great week by overcoming a poor second set to defeat the Austrian 6-3 2-6 6-4 to win the International Raiffeisen Grand Prix on Saturday.
Davydenko held a 3-0 lead in the decisive set, but Melzer fought back to win the next three games. The players held serve until the Russian broke Melzer's serve in the final game.
"I came back from 3-0 down in the third set but unfortunately he didn't let me use the momentum and he played great tennis," Melzer said.
Fourth-seeded 23-year-old Melzer was aiming for his first career ATP title. His only prior final came at Newport two years ago.
Davydenko, who had not dropped a set in winning his first four matches here, won his fifth ATP tournament overall and first this year.
"It feels great to finally win a first trophy this year," Davydenko said.
"This final was really difficult but I am feeling great at the moment and my confidence level is good, which is the most important thing."
The Russian, who won events at Munich and Moscow in 2004, lost in the final here to American Andy Roddick in 2003.
In their only previous encounter, at Monte Carlo last month, the 23-year-old Davydenko beat Melzer in the first round 5-7 6-1 6-3.
Both players are heading to Paris to the French Open, which begins on Monday.
"Before Roland Garros this is great for the confidence, although it is a little bit hard physically," Davydenko said.
"The day after tomorrow I could be playing my first round in Paris, and it doesn't give me much time to celebrate and fully recover from this week."
"This is definitely a great week and a confidence boost before the Roland Garros, but it also means a lack of fitness in Paris," Melzer said.
"I played many matches this week, a lot of three setters and both singles and doubles, it is a lot of matches."

http://www.sportinglife.com/tennis/atptour/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=international_feed/05/05/21/manual_185355.html&YEAR=2005

RUSEDSKI FALLS AT FINAL HURDLE

2005-06-27T20:11:00.000-07:00

ATP TOUR 2004

RUSEDSKI FALLS AT FINAL HURDLE

Greg Rusedski blew three match points in the deciding set as Nikolay Davydenko staged a brilliant escape act to capture the Kremlin Cup title.
Competing in Moscow for only the second time, having been beaten in the first round when competing as a Canadian in 1994, the British number two was on the brink of victory against his Russian opponent.
But Davydenko found extra strength and pulled off a 3-6 6-3 7-5 victory.
"I had match points and I guess it was supposed to be his week," said Rusedski.
Rusedski led by a break at the start of the decider, then after being dragged back onto level terms he had Davydenko in deep trouble when the Russian was serving at 5-4 down, with three separate break points against him.
Unable to capitalise on either opportunity, Rusedski urgently needed to put in an immaculate service game to make Davydenko again serve to stay in the match, but he fell apart.
Davydenko charged to 40-love on the Rusedski serve, and although two break points went by the wayside, the third was snaffled up and he led 6-5.
"That's the way it goes sometimes," added Rusedski.
"My aim was to win this tournament and I'm obviously disappointed having wasted three match points."
To the delight of the Muscovites, Davydenko served out for the match, to deny Rusedski the chance of a second title in 2004.
Rusedski triumphed at Newport, Rhode Island, in July, a result which saw him re-enter the top 100, and results since then meant victory would have lifted him to the brink of the top 50 - as well as securing him a 15th career title.
All looked to be going well when Rusedski, unseeded and chasing his fourth seeded victim of the week, took the opening set.
He claimed a decisive break of serve in the fourth game and fended off Davydenko's bid to hit straight back.
That dampened the hopes of a home win double, Anastasia Myskina having earlier prevailed in an all-Russian women's final against Elena Dementieva.
Rusedski, 31, has been through a difficult year, which began with him having to defend himself after a drug test revealed nandrolone in his system.
Since being cleared of a doping offence by the ATP in March, however, Rusedski's improvement has been encouraging.
"Obviously it has been a positive week, winning four matches and getting to the final," Rusedski told BBC Sport Online.
And despite frustrating results in the four Grand Slam tournaments, in which he won just one match, this week has confirmed the British number two as a power to be reckoned with again.
But after the Briton edged ahead, eighth seed Davydenko made the best possible start to the second set, holding his own serve and then breaking Rusedski to establish early charge.
That was the only break of the second set as Davydenko never wavered on his own serve.
Rusedski, looking to make amends for a sloppy set, darted into a 2-0 lead in the decider but then missed a break point for 3-0 and was soon hauled back to 2-2.
Serves then dominated until the 10th game.
If it had been nervy up to that stage, then soon it was to become a nailbiter.
Davydenko faltered, and Rusedski had three separate match points, to secure an £80,000 winner's cheque and a stack of world ranking points, as well as the prestige of holding aloft another trophy.
For Rusedski the consolation was £60,000 for his week's work and elevation into the top 60, but not the title he craved and came so close to.

http://www.sportinglife.com/tennis/atptour/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=tennis/04/10/17/TENNIS_Rusedski_Lead.html&YEAR=2004

DAVYDENKO MOTORS TO BMW GLORY

2005-06-27T20:09:00.000-07:00

ATP TOUR 2004

DAVYDENKO MOTORS TO BMW GLORY

Nikolay Davydenko captured his third ATP title and first of the season after defeating Martin Verkerk in the final of the BMW Open.
Unseeded Russian Davydenko, who won both his previous titles last year in Adelaide and Estoril, claimed the championship with a 6-4 7-5 victory over Dutchman Verkerk in one hour 38 minutes.
The 22-year-old managed to break Verkerk's serve once in each set, in the fifth game of the first set and in the 11th game of the second, without losing his own serve once in the match.
On his way to victory, Davydenko defeated top-seed Rainer Schuttler in the quarter-finals, Andrei Pavel in the first round, as well as Victor Hanescu and Luis Horna.
He becomes the second Russian winner of the BMW Open after Andrei Chesnokov captured the title in 1989.

http://www.sportinglife.com/tennis/atptour/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=tennis/04/05/02/manual_211117.html&YEAR=2004

ESTORIL JOY FOR DAVYDENKO

2005-06-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

ATP TOUR 2003

ESTORIL JOY FOR DAVYDENKO

Russian Nikolay Davydenko claimed his second title in three months on Sunday with a straight-sets victory over Argentinian Agustin Calleri at the Estoril Open.
Davydenko posted a 6-4 6-3 victory in just 76 minutes on a windy day for his first career claycourt championship.
The 21-year-old, who ousted countryman and sixth seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the quarter-finals, improved to 13-10 on the year. He began 2003 with a hardcourt title in Adelaide.
After Adelaide, Davydenko's luck took a turn for the worse as he failed to advance past the quarter-finals in five straight tournaments and suffered a broken left wrist against Magnus Norman at Memphis in February.
While out for a month, he trained using only his forehand and speeded up the recovery. But a return in Miami resulted in a first-round defeat, followed by another in Russia's embarrassing 5-0 Davis Cup loss to Argentina.
"After my injury, I lose two matches, then I win a tournament. I got into the top 50, so this is an important week for me," Davydenko said.
The 26-year-old Calleri saved two match points before hitting a backhand into the net.
"I tried to make no mistakes and tried to force him to go for winners," said Davydenko, who warmed up indoors before battling the wind.
"I didn't feel so great, and I couldn't think about winning. The first set was tough to play, but I don't know what happened in the second - he seemed to have no concentration.
"I'm happy. Any time you win a tournament, it's great."

http://www.sportinglife.com/tennis/atptour/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=international_feed/03/04/13/TENNIS_Por-Estoril_Nightlead.html&YEAR=2003