Davydenko win helps Federer reach semis
Saturday, 17 November 2007
SHANGHAI, Nov 16 (AFP): Defending champion Roger Federer reached the Masters Cup semi-finals without hitting a ball Friday courtesy of Nikolay Davydenko's win over Fernando Gonzalez.
The world number one goes through on a superior sets record to Gonzalez despite losing to the Chilean in his opening round-robin match. Davydenko had already been eliminated.
Federer, the champion in 2003, 2004 and 2006, had been in danger of missing his first Masters Cup semi-finals in six appearances. He plays the already qualified Andy Roddick later to decide who tops Red Group.
Davydenko, playing only for pride, edged a tense, 66-minute first set when Gonzalez put a forehand into the net, giving the Russian his second break in eight chances.
Gonzalez, needing a win to stay in the tournament, smashed up his racquet in frustration and the outburst seemed to do the Chilean good as he broke in game one of the second set.
However Gonzalez faded after being broken back immediately and Davydenko finally converted his fourth break point in the eighth game before nailing an overhead on his first match point to seal it 6-3.
Davydenko had only given up one set in his previous meetings with Gonzalez, winning all three matches comfortably.
The Russian, who reached the Masters Cup semi-finals in 2005, had already been eliminated after defeats to Roddick and Federer. He will now have a short break before this month's Davis Cup final against the United States.
The world number one goes through on a superior sets record to Gonzalez despite losing to the Chilean in his opening round-robin match. Davydenko had already been eliminated.
Federer, the champion in 2003, 2004 and 2006, had been in danger of missing his first Masters Cup semi-finals in six appearances. He plays the already qualified Andy Roddick later to decide who tops Red Group.
Davydenko, playing only for pride, edged a tense, 66-minute first set when Gonzalez put a forehand into the net, giving the Russian his second break in eight chances.
Gonzalez, needing a win to stay in the tournament, smashed up his racquet in frustration and the outburst seemed to do the Chilean good as he broke in game one of the second set.
However Gonzalez faded after being broken back immediately and Davydenko finally converted his fourth break point in the eighth game before nailing an overhead on his first match point to seal it 6-3.
Davydenko had only given up one set in his previous meetings with Gonzalez, winning all three matches comfortably.
The Russian, who reached the Masters Cup semi-finals in 2005, had already been eliminated after defeats to Roddick and Federer. He will now have a short break before this month's Davis Cup final against the United States.