United Kingdom,London: Nikolay Davydenko of Russia plays against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in a Singles match during the Barclays ATP World Tour Tennis Finals, on November 23, 2009. (AFP Photo / Carl De Souza)
Davydenko fails to stop ATP Finals defending champ
Published 24 November, 2009, 12:55
Novak Djokovic has kick-started his defense of the ATP World Tour finals in London, getting the better of Nikolay Davydenko in his first round-robin match.
The Serb tennis star may have won the coin toss and the right of first serve, but Davydenko was the first one to break and won the first set 6-3.
The second set went to four games all, and at times Djokovic was losing his cool.
However, he finally got his break to take a decisive 5-4 lead and went on to take the set 6-4 to level the match.
The decider was another closely run affair, with Djokovic doing just enough to take it 7-5 and win the match.
“I wasn't feeling that great on the court. Physically wise, I was a bit slow. I kind of couldn't get into a great rhythm. With reactions, as well. But I'm just happy to win the first match. I knew that it was going to be a long one,” Novak Djokovic told the tournament’s official website.
Djokovic, who also defeated Davydenko in the final of the last year’s ATP finals in Shanghai, gave credit to his rival.
“Davydenko is in great form, [a] very aggressive player. But in the end, [I am] quite happy to get through. I really think he was a better player in the first two sets and maybe overall in the whole match. But when you have bad days, you still manage find a way to win. I think that's something that is great to have in your game,” he added.
Two more singles matches are scheduled for Tuesday in the English capital. In Group A, home favorite Andy Murray will try to upset World No. 1 Roger Federer.
In another game, Juan Martin del Potro takes on Fernando Verdasco.
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