Davydenko downs Del Potro to win world finals crown
Sports
Davydenko downs Del Potro to win world finals crown
Russia's Nikolay Davydenko won the ATP World Tour Finals title Sunday with a straight sets victory over Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro at London's O2 Arena. Last year's beaten finalist won 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 24 minutes to claim the season-ending title, disputed among the year's top eight players. The win meant Davydenko jumped up the rankings to finish the season as the world number six, while Del Potro remains at number five. Davydenko's route to the crown saw him beat Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal, French Open and Wimbledon title-holder Roger Federer and US Open winner Del Potro. Davydenko, the first Russian to win the season-ending tournament, said he was thrilled to have his name on the trophy. Del Potro, 21, said Davydenko had played the final with the speed of a computer game character. The Russian entered the match with a 2-1 overall lead on Del Potro. The match was dominated by gutsy baseline rallies, with Davydenko making greater inroads on the Argentinian's serve and mixing up the play with drop shots. Davydenko had a break point in the fourth when Del Potro was called for a foot fault, and won the game, leaving the Argentinian glaring at the baseline judge. Del Potro had break point in the seventh game but Davydenko forced a deuce and converted his advantage at the second time of asking. The Argentinian served to stay in the set at 5-2 down and though Davydenko took him to deuce, Del Potro hung on. However, the Russian held three set points in the next game and won it when Del Potro fired long. In the second set, Del Potro turned up the aggression and gave Davydenko a tougher fight, though it was ultimately not enough. The first four games of the set went with serve. In the fifth game, Davydenko had a break point but the Argentinian won the game on the second deuce. Del Potro then had a break point next game but this time the Russian won on the second deuce. At 4-4, Davydenko gained three break points and won the game when the Argentinian shot wide following a lengthy rally. On a roll and serving for the match, Davydenko got to match point with an ace and won it when Del Potro returned a smash into the net.
