Well, we can all thank Nickolay Davydenko for spoiling the year’s first chance at an important Rafael Nadal/Roger Federer collision. Davydenko upset Federer 6-4, 6-4 on Friday in the Qatar Open semifinal for his second-straight win against the world’s top player.
“I’d beaten him once, so I knew I could beat him again. Then I thought, why not this time? I concentrated more on baseline and serves,” Davydenko, who has lost 12 times to Federer, told a news conference.
“In the second set, it was getting tougher as both of us were tired and couldn’t run fast. It was a difficult situation but fortune favoured me. I think my serve has improved lately.”
Federer committed 37 unforced errors and had no answer to many of the world number six’s powerful cross-court shots.
“He deserved the lead, held it and finished the game. Hats off to him. It isn’t that I played too badly, but he played better,” said Federer.
I just wish I could watch the match at home. Davydenko will undoubtedly have a tough time against world No. 2 Nadal who is blowing by opponents once again. A victory on Sunday would be a nice confidence boost for both players as they head into the Australian Open, which runs from Jan. 18-31. Nadal won that Grand Slam last year in a grueling five-setter against Federer.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
