Davydenko beats Nalbandian in 1/8 final Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters-2009
In his first tournament back from a heel injury, Nikolay Davydenko overcame a host of service breaks to dispatch David Nalbandian in 1/8 final of Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters-2009.
Argentina's David Nalbandian had plenty of chances to win his rain-delayed round of 16 match against Nikolay Davydenko. The Argentine secured the first service break of the match, but as quickly as he had it, he gave it away again. The two men traded another round of service breaks, but Davydenko was able to gain the clear lead in the set when he broke for a third time.
Nalbandian continued to struggle on serve in the second set. Davydenko had six chances to break serve, but the Argentine fought off all but one. Unfortunately, the break came when Nalbandian was serving for the set at 5-4. Davydenko pulled to 5-5, but he was broken again in his next service game to give his opponent a second chance to serve out the set, which he finally did successfully.
The excessive service breaks continued on into the third set. Nalbandian once again failed to consolidate his breaks of Davydenko's serve. The Russian was down a break two times in the deciding set, but clawed his way back to even the match both times. As in the first set, it was Davydenko who finally managed to hold after he secured the break.
Argentina's David Nalbandian had plenty of chances to win his rain-delayed round of 16 match against Nikolay Davydenko. The Argentine secured the first service break of the match, but as quickly as he had it, he gave it away again. The two men traded another round of service breaks, but Davydenko was able to gain the clear lead in the set when he broke for a third time.
Nalbandian continued to struggle on serve in the second set. Davydenko had six chances to break serve, but the Argentine fought off all but one. Unfortunately, the break came when Nalbandian was serving for the set at 5-4. Davydenko pulled to 5-5, but he was broken again in his next service game to give his opponent a second chance to serve out the set, which he finally did successfully.
The excessive service breaks continued on into the third set. Nalbandian once again failed to consolidate his breaks of Davydenko's serve. The Russian was down a break two times in the deciding set, but clawed his way back to even the match both times. As in the first set, it was Davydenko who finally managed to hold after he secured the break.
