Brissie/Doha: Who needs a Prince sponsorship when you have cheques like this.

 

Technically, Nikolay Davydenko is ranked 7th in the world.

Technically, he just won two tournaments back to back, picking up exactly where he left off in 2009.

Technically, he became the second player in history to beat Federer and Nadal back-to-back in two tournaments (take that! Daveed). 

Technically, he’s 4-0 against the Mighty Fedal since November last year, and now leads his H2H against Rafa 5-4. 

Oh, it’s that sweet, sweet feeling of victory.

 

 

It’s Love, Actually.

 

 

Someone else’s “Love, Actually” was also there.  

 

 

What was more impressive was that Davydenko won against the Fedal this week by giving them each a dose of their own medicine.

 Against Federer, Kolya served at 100% for an entire set, winning free points on serve, moving fluidly, taking the ball early with impeccable timing. Against Nadal, Davydenko won a match with the sort of mentality that we were more accustomed to seeing from his opponent. 

To put it simply, he won a match that he had no business winning. After having Rafa shove a bagel down his throat in the first set, Davydenko went back to basics. He upped his level, saved 2 match points in the tiebreak before winning the second set 7-6(8).

Rafa looked to be back in control in the final set after going up an early break. But it appeared that Kolya had stolen the Spaniard’s supply of “never-say-die” mojo, tallying 52 winners all up to Rafa’s 37 to win match 06 76 64.

 

 

Despite his recent record against Fed and Rafa, Davo tried to downplay expectations at the Australian Open.

 

“I can beat them in three sets but in five sets, I don’t know. I’m quite used to calling the shots in three sets.

“The climate in Doha suits me better than that in Australia. I’m better off playing in Doha’s 18 degrees than the 30 at Melbourne Park, so it will be very challenging,” he added.

 

Whatever dude. You’re finally getting the spotlight you deserve and you’re not going to take it? No way.

For Rafa, it was the best tennis we’ve seen from him since returning from his knee injury last year.

While it must’ve been tough to lose such a commanding lead, Rafa has gotten what he wanted out of the week – his mojo, some pre-AO match practice and an antelope in a box.

Yayness.

 

 

Over in Brisbane, Andy Roddick blew a double break but closed out a very tight straight sets win against Radek Stepanek – 76 76 – to claim his 28th career singles title. Rad stayed strong all throughout the match, but against a more consistent Rod, he could only make sex faces. 

 

 

Close, but as they say, no cigar. 

 

 

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