World number six Nikolay Davydenko had to save two match points before rallying to beat second-ranked Rafael Nadal 06 76 64 at the Qatar Open final.
Nadal had two match points in the second set before committing several errors to allow the Russian to make a comeback and force a third set. The win means Davydenko leads the head to head match record between the two to 5-4. This is the Russian’s third consecutive victory over Nadal.
“I did not come here expecting to win. I am surprised that I have won. It is an amazing feeling to have won here. I have played semifinals and finals here but never won,” Davydenko said.
The feat was impressive for Davydenko since he defeated the world’s top 2 players in this tournament. In last year’s season ending ATP World Tour Finals, he also defeated both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal enroute to the title.
“Congratulations to Nikolay, he played unbelievable tennis. He played better than I did,” Nadal said.
