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subject: Atp- Davydenko Beat Nadal To Obtain Shanghai [print this page]


The 28-year-old Russian, Nikolai Davydenko, took his fourth ATP title of the year after beating world No. 2 Rafael Nadal during the finals of the Shanghai Masters. Davydenko's 7-6, 6-3 victory on Sunday pushes him to 6th place in the world with 4,700 points.

Despite his loss, Nadal has managed to cut Roger Federer's lead in the rankings. With 9,095 points, Nadal is less than 2,000 points behind Federer. Nadal is still trying to get back in shape after suffering from stomach and knee injuries that took him out of much of the season.

Both players entered the final determined for a victory and, ultimately, the title. But Davydenko's incredible flat groundstrokes and winners stretched Nadal's game. In the first set, Davydenko broke Nadal's serve in the third game to take a 2-1 lead. Nadal broke back in the eighth game and the Russian had to save a set point and fight off a 0-30 for a tiebreak. In the tiebreaker, Davydenko hit three backhand winners that gave him a 7-3 win in the first set.

The second set saw more of Davydenko's backhands. The Russian broke Nadal's serve in the sixth game to put the score at 4-2. Rafa tried to respond, but Davydenko was slick enough to stop him.

The final point of the game, a forehand by Nadal, received a late out by a linesperson. The set and the game seemed to go to Davydenko, but Nadal challenged the call. Davydenko, huddled to the ground as he awaited the call, leapt into the air when the replay proved that Nadal's ball had been out.

After the announcement, Davydenko celebrated his victory with the crowd and with his wife. The win signaled his 18th career title and his fourth of the season. At the end of the match, the Russian described his excitement at his accomplishments in Asia, and hoped to keep his movement up the rankings. He acknowledged the difficulty of the first set against Nadal, feeling at times that he was bound to lose.

"I was so tired at the beginning in the first set. Four-all in first set, I was feeling like I losing my chance to win the first set because he came back. I play very well in the tiebreak, winning, and then feeling I have a chance,"said the 28-year old. "I think I was a little bit lucky, but mostly I was playing very well today. I did a good job in three weeks in Asia."

Nadal, on the other hand, said he was satisfied with his performance despite the loss and, even better, was feeling very strong physically.

"I have my chance in the first set and I am especially happy with one thing - it's the first match after my injury comeback against one top player. I really felt I really have chances to win. That's the most positive thing for me, and I fight all the time with a positive attitude, no physical problems. So that's very good news for me," stated the world No.2

Now the Russian is hoping to qualify for the ATP tour finals, which take place in London during the month of November. Nadal is already qualified for that tournament.

by: Ally White




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