Davydenko Edges Djokovic In Marathon Encounter, Surges Into Finals Contention

© AFP/Getty ImagesRussian Nikolay Davydenko will attempt to capture his fourth ATP World Tour singles title of the season in Sunday's final.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko surged into contention for a spot at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals — the season climax at London’s O2 arena in November — after beating second seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(1) in the semi-finals of the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 Presented by Rolex.  The match lasted three hours and three minutes.

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By reaching Sunday’s final, against top-seeded Rafael Nadal, Davydenko added 240 South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings points to move up to No. 7 — 20 points ahead of No. 8-ranked Fernando Verdasco — in the race to clinch one of three remaining singles berths at the prestigious eight-player finale.

In a repeat of last year’s Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai final, second seed Djokovic saved three break points against sixth seed Davydenko in the first set and won the 57-minute opener with a service break in the 10th game.

Davydenko responded in the second set with well-placed serves and aggressive play from the baseline, converting one of two break point opportunities in the seventh game.  At 3-5, Djokovic saved two break points at 15/40, but was powerless as 28-year-old Davydenko took the encounter to a deciding set for the third time in the pair’s four meetings.  

Davydenko fought off three break points in the sixth game of the third set, winning five points in a row for 3-3.  Djokovic, who is coached by Marian Vajda and advised by 1994 Australian Open and 1999 US Open finalist Todd Martin, was also forced to save two break points in the next game before the match was decided on a tie-break.

Djokovic got off to the worst possible start to the tie-break, falling to a 0-5 deficit, and never recovered.  “There was no problem,” he commented afterwards.  “He played too good.  I'm disappointed, because I think I played a great match.”

Volograd resident Davydenko advanced to his 23rd ATP World Tour singles final (17-5 overall record). 

He will attempt to capture his fourth ATP World Tour trophy of the year, following title successes at the International German Open in Hamburg (d. Mathieu), the ATP Studena Croatia Open in Umag (d. Ferrero) and the Proton Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2009 (d. Verdasco).

"The match was three hours [in duration] and decided [on a] tie-break," said Davydenko, who improved to a 48-13 season record (20-6 on hard courts).  "Who was better?  I don't know.  He was better, but I won.  He made many mistakes and also [lost] concentration."

Djokovic, 22, has already qualified for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Last week, the Serbian captured his third ATP World Tour title at the China Open in Beijing (d. Cilic) adding to silverware won at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (d. Ferrer) and Serbia Open 2009 in Belgrade (d. Kubot).

He has a 3-5 record in ATP World Tour singles final this season and an ATP World Tour-best 66-18 match record.  Djokovic also dropped to 9-11 against Top 10 opponents this year.