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  • Can Muller upset rock solid Davydenko

    9/1/08 11:11 PM | David Cox
    - Just how much does Muller have left in the tank, that's the big question going into this match. The Luxembourg man is enjoying his first time ever in the second week of a slam but does he really believe he can beat Davydenko ?

    Muller has spent over 7 hours on court in his past 2 matches, far longer than Davydenko has taken for all 3 of his wins. After coming back from 2 sets to love down for the first time in a slam against Haas he repeated the feat in sensational fashion against Almagro on Sunday.

    However if this one goes the distance again, Davydenko will be firm favourite. If you were going to list players you'd least like to go 5 rounds against Davydenko would probably be just behind Nadal. The Russian's ability to track down balls for hours on end and show no fatigue his almost machine-like at times and he's renowned as having the hardest schedule on tour for the elite players

    It's no secret as to what's got Muller to this stage, he lies 2nd in the ace table just behind Karlovic with 92. The combination of leftie spin and 130mph+ speed made it almost unbreakable against Almagro. When asked about it Muller said “I guess that's been the key for all my matches. I was pretty much dominating my serve games. I won them pretty easy, and that gives you a lot of confidence. That gives you time to breathe and puts a lot of pressure on the opponent.”

    However against Davydenko one of the world's top 5 returners, the Muller serve has posed few problems in the past. He won 6-4, 6-4 in Estoril 20066 and then crushingly 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 at the 2007 Aussie Open

    Verdict: Muller's fine run to end, Davydenko in 3

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