ID :
102033
Sat, 01/23/2010 - 17:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/102033
The shortlink copeid
Davydenko shows as Federer`s big threat
No longer the invisible man, Russian juggernaut Nikolay Davydenko has emerged as
Roger Federer's greatest Australian Open threat after parlaying his phenomenal form
run into a flawless first week at Melbourne Park.
Davydenko crushed Argentine Juan Monaco 6-0 6-3 6-4 in one hour, 49 minutes on
Saturday to extend his winning streak to 12 matches, the longest undefeated sequence
heading into the Open's fourth round since the mighty Federer in 2005.
Davydenko has dropped just 17 games all tournament, an average of less than two per
set, to prove his stunning pre-Open form was anything but a fluke.
The sixth seed's unexpected surge includes his million-dollar triumph at the World
Tour Finals in London in November - when he took down Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak
Djokovic, Robin Soderling and then Juan Martin del Potro in the title match - and
back-to-back victories over Federer and Nadal in Doha this month.
"I really hope I can hold this level every day and all this tournament, all these
two weeks," Davydenko said.
"I'm feeling very good, confident now."
No kidding.
Davydenko will take on Spanish ninth seed Fernando Verdasco on Monday before a
potential quarter-final shootout with the incredible Federer, who became the first
man ever to win 50 matches at the Open with his effortless 6-3 6-4 6-4 third-round
victory over Albert Montanes.
Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic rolled on with a 6-1 6-1 6-2 success against
Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin.
The 2008 champion has enjoyed a spotlight-free progression to the last 16, more than
happy for Davydenko an co. to hog the headlines.
"He's playing the best tennis of his life," Djokovic said. "He's on the roll and
he's definitely one of the players that can win the title this year.
"Besides him, of course Federer, Nadal, Murray, Del Potro. It's very exciting for
the fans as well to follow the men's part of the draw and just wait and see who's
going to win the title."
Federer agreed it was shaping as an enthralling second week with all the big guns
through.
But the Swiss maestro - who will joust with either local hope Lleyton Hewitt or 2006
runner-up Marcos Baghdatis for a quarter-final berth - warned that he Nadal remained
the players to beat.
"I definitely think we have guys now, as they get older as well, who are going to
win bigger tournaments and have more experience," Federer said.
"Before, the group was Del Potro, Murray, Djokovic, and all those guys. They were
just coming out of their teens.
"You can't expect them right away to win slams. Now they're all in a good age where
normally you either make your move or you definitely have a chance.
"So that's what we're looking at the moment, but that's not an easy thing to do
because Rafa and myself are still around and making it extremely hard for guys to
take home any slams because over five sets in two weeks, I think we know best how it
works."
Roger Federer's greatest Australian Open threat after parlaying his phenomenal form
run into a flawless first week at Melbourne Park.
Davydenko crushed Argentine Juan Monaco 6-0 6-3 6-4 in one hour, 49 minutes on
Saturday to extend his winning streak to 12 matches, the longest undefeated sequence
heading into the Open's fourth round since the mighty Federer in 2005.
Davydenko has dropped just 17 games all tournament, an average of less than two per
set, to prove his stunning pre-Open form was anything but a fluke.
The sixth seed's unexpected surge includes his million-dollar triumph at the World
Tour Finals in London in November - when he took down Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak
Djokovic, Robin Soderling and then Juan Martin del Potro in the title match - and
back-to-back victories over Federer and Nadal in Doha this month.
"I really hope I can hold this level every day and all this tournament, all these
two weeks," Davydenko said.
"I'm feeling very good, confident now."
No kidding.
Davydenko will take on Spanish ninth seed Fernando Verdasco on Monday before a
potential quarter-final shootout with the incredible Federer, who became the first
man ever to win 50 matches at the Open with his effortless 6-3 6-4 6-4 third-round
victory over Albert Montanes.
Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic rolled on with a 6-1 6-1 6-2 success against
Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin.
The 2008 champion has enjoyed a spotlight-free progression to the last 16, more than
happy for Davydenko an co. to hog the headlines.
"He's playing the best tennis of his life," Djokovic said. "He's on the roll and
he's definitely one of the players that can win the title this year.
"Besides him, of course Federer, Nadal, Murray, Del Potro. It's very exciting for
the fans as well to follow the men's part of the draw and just wait and see who's
going to win the title."
Federer agreed it was shaping as an enthralling second week with all the big guns
through.
But the Swiss maestro - who will joust with either local hope Lleyton Hewitt or 2006
runner-up Marcos Baghdatis for a quarter-final berth - warned that he Nadal remained
the players to beat.
"I definitely think we have guys now, as they get older as well, who are going to
win bigger tournaments and have more experience," Federer said.
"Before, the group was Del Potro, Murray, Djokovic, and all those guys. They were
just coming out of their teens.
"You can't expect them right away to win slams. Now they're all in a good age where
normally you either make your move or you definitely have a chance.
"So that's what we're looking at the moment, but that's not an easy thing to do
because Rafa and myself are still around and making it extremely hard for guys to
take home any slams because over five sets in two weeks, I think we know best how it
works."
