Davydenko Ends Gonzalez's SF Hopes
© Getty Images Russian Nikolay Davydenko avoided a 0-3 rout at Tennis Masters Cup when he defeated Fernando Gonzalez 6-4, 6-3 Friday to claim his first win of the 2007 circuit finale. The result sent the Chilean tumbling out of semifinal contention and guaranteed that Roger Federer would reach the last four, regardless of the outcome of his group match with Andy Roddick.
Davydenko, who improved to 4-0 lifetime against Gonzalez in their first meeting since 2005, will now take a one-week break before traveling to the United States for the Davis Cup final.
"For me it's important I try mentally to recover and to be a little bit brown [get a suntan]. And then it's my happy face coming to Davis Cup final."
Friday: Federer Beats Roddick, Sets Up Nadal Clash
For Gonzalez, the Masters Cup brought mixed fortunes. He broke a career 10-match losing streak against Federer in his first match of the round-robin stage, but that performance may have taken more out of the Chilean than was first thought. He failed to win a set in his following two matches against Andy Roddick and Davydenko.
But Gonzalez still enjoyed the best year of his career, bookended by his first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open and his first appearance at the circuit finale, after which he will finish a career-best year-end No.7 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings.
Gonzalez said: "For me always is tough to play against Davydenko. He play really fast and both sides are really good, have really good return. But today I give my best, and I think wasn't enough.
"I was really excited because I still having chances to go to the semis, but it was really tough. I didn't feel like on the first day."
Thursday: Ferrer, Nadal Reach Semifinals
Wednesday: Roddick First into Semifinals
Wednesday: Federer Claims First Win
Tuesday: Ferrer Outguns Nadal to Go 2-0
Tuesday: Gasquet Ends Djokovic's Tennis Masters Cup Hopes
Monday: Roddick Rolls Russian; Impressive Start
Monday: Gonzalez Snaps Losing Streak to Federer
Sunday: Nadal Battles Past Gasquet in Shanghai Opener
Sunday: Ferrer Makes in a Spanish Clean Sweep on Day 1
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