Davydenko Defeats Injured Agassi
Davydenko won his debut match. By Bill Scott
Nikolay Davydenko made his Tennis Masters Cup debut under the most trying of circumstances Monday night as he defeated the legendary Andre Agassi 6-4, 6-2 to post a 1-0 record in Gold group play in Shanghai.
The quiet Russian went into the lion's den at the Qi Zhong tennis stadium as he faced off with one of the icons of the sport.
But with Agassi’s movement limited by a third-degree ankle sprain, Davydenko concentrated on his own game to full advantage.
“Agassi started play well but then in the second set, I think he had some injury and never played well again,” said Davydenko.
"I can only worry about my own future here. I have two more matches.”
The Russian notched 16 winners and 27 unforced errors. But Agassi, hampered by his pain, failed to capitalize on four break points and knew the end was only a matter of time.
"I couldn't really hit balls for a month at least due to my ankle," said the 35-year-old. "You come back, try to get ready in a hurry and you force it and things just don't respond if you try to do it too soon.
"Just from serving, in the last week of trying to get ready, it was just a little stiff and sore. But the movement is more of an issue."
Agassi announced his withdrawal from Masters Cup after the match, pulling out after trying in vain for three weeks to cure his injury. He was unable to even make a start at attempting to win Masters Cup 15 years after his lone finale triumph in 1990 in Frankfurt.
Davydenko will lead the Gold group as the highest seed remaining after Rafael Nadal and Agassi’s withdrawals. He has two round-robin matches coming up this week against Argentines Gaston Gaudio and Mariano Puerta.
"Both guys are okay, for me. Gaudio is more difficult because he's beaten me five times - but on clay. Puerta is also a clay courter, and he likes to play on slow surface."
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Sunday: Federer Wins Masters Cup Opener
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