
Nikolay Davydenko Captures Third Title of 2008
Top seed Nikolay Davydenko (pictured) captured his third ATP title of the season, and the 14th of his career, by defeating second seed and defending champion Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the Orange Warsaw Open on Sunday.
World No. 4 Davydenko was contesting his fourth final of the season, and the third on clay. The Russian clinched his second ATP Masters Series title at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, defeating Rafael Nadal in the final, before winning his first clay court title of the season at Poertschach (d. Monaco) prior to Roland Garros. He also finished as runner-up to Roger Federer on clay at Estoril, retiring with a leg injury during the final.
"For me every tournament is very important," said Davydenko. "This is my 14th tournament win and it will give me a lot of confidence for the upcoming weeks."
Davydenko now improves to 41-10 on the ATP circuit this season, marking the fourth straight year that he has recorded at least 40 match wins and placing him second only to World No. 2 Nadal, who has won 49 matches.
The Volgograd resident was dominant in the first set, surrendering his serve just once while breaking Robredo’s serve on three occasions. After leading by an early break of serve in the second set, he fended off five Robredo break point opportunities to go on and close out the victory after 1 hr., 55 min., avenging his loss to the Spaniard in the third round at ATP Masters Series Rome earlier in the season.
"Today every single game was difficult," admitted Davydenko. "It was tough to win the first set. Robredo was running and fighting a lot. The last game was very tough as well and luckily I won the last point [with a smash]. I think it was a nice match for the crowd."
Robredo added: "I think I was closer than the result says. Nikolay was playing very well during the whole match. He's a great player, he always hits the ball hard. It's tough when you don't take advantage of your chances. In the second set I had advantage six times, but I couldn't make it."
Davydenko now improves to 11-3 at this event. The 26-year-old, who has won the title dropping just one set en route, was also a champion at the event in 2006 (d. Mayer) when it was held in Sopot.
World No. 19 Robredo was bidding to win his first ATP title since last October, when he defeated Andy Murray to claim the title in Metz. He slips to a 6-7 record in ATP finals.
The Barcelona resident, whose best result before this week was a semifinal finish at Valencia (l. to Ferrer), slips to 21-13 for the season, 19-7 on clay. The 26-year-old has a strong record at this event, having captured the title twice before in 2001 (d. Portas) and last year (d. Acasuso). His tournament record now stands at 15-2.
Robredo, who has been ranked as highly as No. 5 (August 28, 2006) in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, drops to a 14-52 lifetime record against Top 10 players.
Article from http://www.atptennis.com/
Photo credit should read WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP/Getty Images