Woes pile up for Davydenko at Masters
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
SHANGHAI, Nov 12 (AFP): Troubled tennis star Nikolay Davydenko's horror season continued when he was hammered by Andy Roddick in his Masters Cup opener Monday.
The Russian, the subject of an ATP betting probe, rallied from a set down but collapsed in the decider, losing 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in two hours and two minutes.
Roddick, who has been struggling with injury, will take heart from a powerful display ahead of the United States' Davis Cup final with Davydenko's Russia starting on November 30.
The American staved off four break points in the first game before breaking Davydenko in the third, converting his second chance as the world number four netted.
Victory was in Roddick's grasp when he broke for 4-3 with a sharp exchange of volleys at the net. But Davydenko broke back to love and again for the set as Roddick put a forehand wide, smashing his racquet in frustration.
However, the American's spirits lifted in the decider when Davydenko netted on the third break point of the third game, and soared when he broke again for 4-1, eventually sealing the match with a forehand winner.
It was an impressive performance from the fifth-ranked Roddick who has been labouring with foot and knee problems, playing only one tournament and the Davis Cup semi-final since the US Open in August.
The Russian, the subject of an ATP betting probe, rallied from a set down but collapsed in the decider, losing 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in two hours and two minutes.
Roddick, who has been struggling with injury, will take heart from a powerful display ahead of the United States' Davis Cup final with Davydenko's Russia starting on November 30.
The American staved off four break points in the first game before breaking Davydenko in the third, converting his second chance as the world number four netted.
Victory was in Roddick's grasp when he broke for 4-3 with a sharp exchange of volleys at the net. But Davydenko broke back to love and again for the set as Roddick put a forehand wide, smashing his racquet in frustration.
However, the American's spirits lifted in the decider when Davydenko netted on the third break point of the third game, and soared when he broke again for 4-1, eventually sealing the match with a forehand winner.
It was an impressive performance from the fifth-ranked Roddick who has been labouring with foot and knee problems, playing only one tournament and the Davis Cup semi-final since the US Open in August.