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Davydenko advances to Masters Cup semis
By The Associated Press
Thursday, November 13, 2008 | No comments posted.
SHANGHAI, China — Nikolay Davydenko advanced to the semifinals of the Masters Cup by defeating Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 6-2 today.
Davydenko’s defense and relentless groundstrokes were the difference, turning an expected tight match into a rout. He broke Del Potro’s serve four times in eight chances.
“I played so good,” Davydenko said. “I feel great.”
Earlier, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France defeated Novak Djokovic of Serbia 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 in a meaningless match. Djokovic had already been assured of a spot in the semifinals of the season-ending tournament, while Tsonga had been eliminated.
Del Potro was unable to pressure his Russian opponent in the first set, connecting on only 42 percent of his first serves.
Serving while trailing 4-3, Del Potro double-faulted to set up break point. Davydenko put away a forehand winner off a short ball for the game, then held at love for the set.
After Del Potro held to start the second set, Davydenko won five straight games, leaving the Argentine looking increasingly frustrated. Del Potro held to get to 5-2, but Davydenko finished it by holding at love, with Del Potro netting a second-serve return on match point.
Tsonga, who lost to Djokovic in the Australian Open final, looked listless before winning five consecutive games from 5-5 in the second set to take control.
“He was better than me in the two first sets, but I take the second one,” said Tsonga, who has beaten the third-ranked Djokovic in their last three meetings.
Djokovic won only one game in the third set.
“I made some unforced errors,” he said. “The important thing is that I’m through.”
Roger Federer, a four-time Masters Cup champion, will advance if he wins Friday against Andy Murray of Britain. Murray is 2-0 in the Red Group and guaranteed a spot in the semifinals.
Gilles Simon of France still has a chance if Federer falters. He will play 26th-ranked Radek Stepanek, who replaced Andy Roddick when the American withdrew Wednesday with a sprained ankle.
Simon got into the elite field when Nadal withdrew before the tournament began with a sore knee. Simon defeated Federer in his first match.
Davydenko’s defense and relentless groundstrokes were the difference, turning an expected tight match into a rout. He broke Del Potro’s serve four times in eight chances.
“I played so good,” Davydenko said. “I feel great.”
Earlier, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France defeated Novak Djokovic of Serbia 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 in a meaningless match. Djokovic had already been assured of a spot in the semifinals of the season-ending tournament, while Tsonga had been eliminated.
Del Potro was unable to pressure his Russian opponent in the first set, connecting on only 42 percent of his first serves.
Serving while trailing 4-3, Del Potro double-faulted to set up break point. Davydenko put away a forehand winner off a short ball for the game, then held at love for the set.
After Del Potro held to start the second set, Davydenko won five straight games, leaving the Argentine looking increasingly frustrated. Del Potro held to get to 5-2, but Davydenko finished it by holding at love, with Del Potro netting a second-serve return on match point.
Tsonga, who lost to Djokovic in the Australian Open final, looked listless before winning five consecutive games from 5-5 in the second set to take control.
“He was better than me in the two first sets, but I take the second one,” said Tsonga, who has beaten the third-ranked Djokovic in their last three meetings.
Djokovic won only one game in the third set.
“I made some unforced errors,” he said. “The important thing is that I’m through.”
Roger Federer, a four-time Masters Cup champion, will advance if he wins Friday against Andy Murray of Britain. Murray is 2-0 in the Red Group and guaranteed a spot in the semifinals.
Gilles Simon of France still has a chance if Federer falters. He will play 26th-ranked Radek Stepanek, who replaced Andy Roddick when the American withdrew Wednesday with a sprained ankle.
Simon got into the elite field when Nadal withdrew before the tournament began with a sore knee. Simon defeated Federer in his first match.
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