Lucky 13 for Davydenko with London upset of Federer (Roundup)

By Bill Scott Nov 28, 2009, 17:02 GMT

London - Russian Nikolay Davydenko stunned Roger Federer 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 to book a place in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals for the second straight year Saturday.

It was the first victory in the series for the Russian in 13 matches after losing his first dozen to the world number one. The run of disappointment began in 2002.

'Finally I can beat Federer, because I beat everyone in top 10 except him,' said the delighted winner. 'I was thinking it coming maybe 2010 or 2011. But in 2009, end of the season, it's a good feeling.'

Davydenko, who lost the year-end final a year ago in Shanghai to Novak Djkokvic, will play Sunday against the winner from Swede Robin Soderling and US Open champion Juan Del Potro of Argentina.

Federer ends 2009 on 29-7 in the year-end championships after appearing in his seventh semi-final in eight tournament appearances.

The loss was only his second in year-end semis after losing to Lleyton Hewitt in China seven years ago.

Sharp play from Davydenko prevented the Swiss from claiming a fifth season wrap-up trophy and limiting him to four this season, including the French Open and Wimbledon.

'Sure, it's disappointing. But not to lose against him; just to lose the semis,' said Federer. 'Coming so far in a tough group, in a tough tournament, I had hopes to get through to the final and maybe win again.

'But I missed the start again, and I guess that's what cost me the match at the end,' he said after starting all four of his matches this week by dropping the first set.

Davydenko broke twice to sweep the first set and got his concluding break in the penultimate game of the match with an untouchable down the line winner for 6-5.

The unheralded Russian closed it out on his first match point in the next game to claim victory in just under two hours with 27 winners and 21 unforced errors.

'I picked sometimes wrong choice of shots right from the start, that let him recover, and not be a break down,' said Federer.

'After that, I didn't serve very well in the first set at all. So that gave him obviously opportunities to start to find his range from the baseline.

'I thought he played strong throughout, even though I don't think it was the best match we ever played against each other.'

Federer admitted that slow starts in London doomed his chances.

'I tried everything to have a good start, I wasn't able to do it again, so, sure, it's disappointing.

'The important thing is that your serve works, you know. Maybe I just couldn't get my serve working in the first set this week. On top of that, I played top guys. It's just not easy.'

Davydenko admitted he came to the court thinking he was in for another losing scenario. He therefore played without any pressure.

'I thought about losing and going home and the next day already the Maldives. That's was really on my mind. I didn't care, I had no pressure.'