Doha delight for Davydenko

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:59

The Russian had beaten world number one Roger Federer to reach the final and added the scalp of the second-seeded Spaniard as he claimed another title to follow his victory at the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London in November.

But there appeared little prospect of such a result when Nadal converted three of four break opportunities and won 72% of the points in a one-sided first set.

Davydenko had won just one point on the Nadal serve in the opener, but the 28-year-old responded well in a hard-fought second set, which went the distance after one service break apiece.

A drawn-out tie-break was finally shaded 10/8 by Davydenko, extending the match into a final set.

Nadal hit back and led by a break but again the world number six found more in the tank, saving two match points and getting back on level terms.

And a second break secured him victory in two hours 43 minutes and also the title, 250 ranking points and US dollars 185,850 (£116,000).

Having also beaten the world’s top two in London, he became only the second man – after Argentina’s David Nalbandian in 2007 – to twice beat them both in the same tournament.

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here