The Hindu : Sport : Davydenko downs Nadal in final

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Davydenko downs Nadal in final

Becomes the first Russian to win at Key Biscayne

— Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

MUSCLING IN: In what was considered to be a two-horse race for the top ranking between Federer and Nadal, Davydenko has queered the pitch with his title win at Key Biscayne.

KEY BISCAYNE: As the men’s tennis tour moves to clay, top-ranked Roger Federer and No. 2 Rafael Nadal have yet to win a tournament this year. The tightening race atop the rankings could become a mad scramble in Europe, and Nikolay Davydenko hopes to play a part. He won the Sony Ericsson Open on Sunday, beating Nadal 6-4, 6-2.

“Maybe something changes with my tennis here in Miami,” Davydenko said. “The clay court season’s coming now, and for me it should be different tennis. Maybe I feel more confident, because I beat very good guys here.”

Davydenko became the first Russian to win the Key Biscayne men’s championship. He won a 12th career title and a U.S. tournament for only the second time, and he laughed when asked if the accomplishment will make him famous.

“Famous? Here? Yes, I would say if I would like to be famous, I need to win tournaments here,” Davydenko said.

ATP investigation

In recent months, Davydenko has been best known for an ATP investigation into heavy wagering on a match he lost last August at a tournament in Poland. He retired in the third set, citing a foot injury, and says he did nothing wrong.

He has accused the ATP of dragging out the investigation, but it proved not to be a distraction at Key Biscayne.

“It’s not every day in my mind,” he said. “I don’t think about the investigation. It should be my lawyer thinking, and my manager.”

There was no question about his effort against Nadal. Davydenko broke at love to take the lead for good at 4-3 in the first set, and in the second set he lost only two of 19 points on his serve to pull away.

When Davydenko belted one final forehand winner on championship point, he grinned and shook his fists, then punched the air. During the trophy ceremony, he said he didn’t believe he had won the title.

Davydenko overcame a match point in the second round against Ernests Gulbis and became the fourth ATP player this year to win a title after facing match point.

The 26-year-old Davydenko is ranked fourth and has finished each of the past three years in the top five. But he is yet to reach a Grand Slam final, and the Key Biscayne title was only his second in a Masters Series event.

“He’s playing unbelievable tennis,” Nadal said. “People like to write more about Roger, about me, about Andy (Roddick). People outside tennis can think different about Nikolay, but we know he’s a very, very good player.”

Davydenko quickly became comfortable with a new racquet model he tried for the first time at Key Biscayne. He used the same racket in all six matches.

“I have only one,” he said. “Surprisingly I didn’t break a string. Warm up and play match, warm up and play match, every match, and I finish with the racquet. I’m going to keep this racquet forever.”

In the final, that racquet delivered serves at up to 132 mph, allowing the 5-foot-10 Davydenko to win five service games at love. He totalled 19 winners and had only 12 unforced errors, and his penetrating groundstrokes to the corners repeatedly made Nadal hit shots late and wide.

The speedy Davydenko also came forward to win 17 points at the net.

“I can’t play better today, because he played at an unbelievable level,” Nadal said. “I think soon I am going to win a title,” Nadal said. “I hope so.” — AP

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