Demolition men Davydenko and Soderling into semis

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:54

Nikolay Davydenko will meet Robin Soderling in the semi-final of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam after both recorded quickfire victories in their last eight matches.

No.2 seed Davydenko eased past Jurgen Melzer 6-3 6-2, while No.3 Soderling crushed Julien Benneteau 6-0 6-1.

“Melzer played some good points in the beginning and I am still struggling with the circumstances on court,” said Davydenko, who has had problems with the speed of the surface all week.

“It might not show from the stands seeing my performance but it is how I feel on court.”

Soderling showed no sign of such problems as he swatted Benneteau aside in just 49 minutes.

“A perfect match does not exist but this was my best match of the year so far, though I still have things to improve,” said Soderling, who crashed out in the first round at the Chennai and Australian Opens.

“My poor start to the year was mainly caused by mental tiredness as I lacked enough rest after a long and good season, but my early exit in Australia gave me the time I needed.”

Top seed Novak Djokovic enjoyed a walkover into the last four when Germany’s Florian Mayer withdrew with a hamstring injury ahead of their quarter-final.

The world No.2 will face 2007 champ Mikhail Youzhny in the semis after the Russian overcame Gael Monfils 5-7 6-2 6-3 in a match lasting almost three hours.

After leveling the match, Youzhny recovered from a break down in the final set to clinch victory in front of a 9,000-strong crowd.

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