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  • Monte Carlo semi-final preview: Rafael Nadal vs. Nikolay Davydenko

    4/26/08 10:52 AM | Cheryl Murray
    - Impressive so far this week, Rafael Nadal will take on a fatigued Nikolay Davydenko for a spot in the finals on Sunday.

    Russian Nikolay Davydenko is one of the few players who has actually troubled Rafael Nadal on clay. They have met once on the dirt, in Rome last year. Davydenko won a set and took the Spaniard to two tie breaks, before Nadal won the third 6-4. Nadal holds a 2-1 lifetime edge over Davydenko.

    Davydenko admitted in his press conference on Friday that he is tired from playing so much tennis. He won the tournament in Miami three weeks ago, where he beat Rafael Nadal in the final. He then played Davis Cup, and immediately traveled to Estoril, where he made the final, losing to Roger Federer. He withdrew due to a problem with his left leg, which he says has healed and is fine now. This week, his last two matches against Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round and Igor Andreev in the quarters have gone to three sets. He dispatched Simone Bolelli in straight sets in the first round.

    Rafael Nadal comes into this semi-final with straight set wins in his second, third and quarterfinal matches over Mario Ancic, Juan Carlos Ferrero and David Ferrer. He had a scare on Friday as Ferrer nearly took a set from him, but his form on clay has been exceptional so far. Davydenko may have some added confidence based on the fact that he beat Nadal rather easily (6-4, 6-2) in Miami three weeks ago, and Nadal has never been able to take a victory from the Russian in straight sets. This time, with the form Nadal is in however, he should win easily. Nadal in two.

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Comments

Congrats Rafa on your 4th Monte Carlo final!! VAMOS

RafaNadalGirl20 , 4/26/08 3:59 PM


Congratulations Rafa on your 4th Monte Carlo final :) Ive got a good feeling your going to win, your an amazing very talented player. I loved that point you got against Davydenko its known as the ``hot shot`` you did a perfect slide and the angle you hit the ball at just WOW!!! it was Superb :) It was unbelievable tennis i wish you all the best for the final, im predicting a straight sets win your Awesome, Love your dedicated fan Mandy :P Vamos Rafa xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xNo1RafaFanx , 4/26/08 10:33 PM



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