Davydenko Remains Perfect in Shanghai
Davydenko will appear in the SF. By Bill Scott
Russian Nikolay Davydenko snapped a career-long jinx Wednesday with his first victory after five defeats against nemesis Gaston Gaudio, lifting a victory to reach the semifinals at the Tennis Masters Cup 2005.
The fifth seed stopped his No. 7 Argentine rival 6-3, 6-4 in a struggle lasting one hour, 47 minutes at the Qi Zhong tennis center.
Gaudio, the 2004 Roland Garros winner, had compiled his winning run against Davydenko on clay. But when they got onto the Taraflex carpet in China, it was the Russian's turn for triumph.
The winner said that with injuries taking a toll on the field, he's watching out for his own fitness as he drives torwards the week final four.
"To be already into the semifinals is big chance for me," said Davydenko. "But everybody is injured and I'm also concentrating on not being injured.
"That makes it tough to play, the surface is very difficult. If you don't concentrate, you can get hurt."
Davydenko, coached by his brother, improved his record against Top 10 players to 4-6 as he participates in the year-end event for the first time.
The Russian managed to steal a lead in the first set after three consecutive breaks, advancing to 4-2. After lifting the opening set, Davydenko found life more difficult in the second against the South American, one of four Argentines making up half of the field in China.
Despite trailing 5-1, Gaudio continued to grind on the fast surface, clawing back the deficit with a break of Davydenko in the eight game as the Russian saved a pair of break points before losing on an overhead.,
Two games later, the Russian managed to end his agony, advancing to victory in his fifth match point with a cross-court winner.
Davydenko's victory on the back of 32 winners and conversions on four of nine break points followed on from his Monday upset of Andre Agassi.
"This is a great chance for me," he said of a successful debut at the season-ending tournament. "If you get a chance, you need to take it.
The Russian is one of four players in this year's field appearing in the Tennis Masters Cup for the first time, joining Fernando Gonzalez, Ivan Ljubicic and Mariano Puerta.
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Tuesday: Federer Pushed to Limit by Ljubicic
Monday: Davydenko Defeats Injured Agassi
Sunday: Federer Wins Masters Cup Opener
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