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7/13/10 2:39 PM | Johan Lindahl
Wifely words at just the right moment helped Nikolay Davydenko to fight for a face-saving singles win at the Davis Cup as Russia lost 3-2 in Moscow to Argentina.
The No. 6 now travels to the Mercecdes Cup in Stuttgart with a renewed dose of confidence to begin play as top seed on the clay.
The 29-year-old, who admitted he was out of form after missing three months with a broken wrist, lost in opening singles and in doubles before delayed for a few hours his nation's first loss at home in 14 years by winning a four-set match over Argentine Eduardo Schwank.
Davydenko admitted that he was unsure of even playing on the Davis Cup's final day so deep was his lack of self-belief. It took a stern talking-to form wife Irina to lift his game.
"I said to my wife, 'I don’t know how I feel, maybe it would be better if I retire today.' She told me, 'you started playing on Friday and you need to continue through till Sunday and win,'” said Davydenko on what became the final word.
Life in Stuttgart might not get any easier for Davydenko, with the two-time semi-finalist facing a possible second-round opener against French holder Jeremy Chardy after a bye.
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luckystar: I like him very much too and that win against Delboy was bloody brilliant, just shows how you should play these giants, though Andy also, at that tournament, made DP look ordinary. Davy has had so much injury and also that investigation which hung over him for ages. 29, though, it must all get so much harder.
deuce , 7/14/10 7:47 AM
davydenko is like a lite version of agassi. Both are bald baseliners who take the ball on the rise,are clean hitters,and have immaculate footwork. Davys one of the best in the world at dealing with big hitters. He has a good record over every one except for soderling.
tj600 , 7/14/10 8:21 AM
btw,I hope davydenko plays himself into form. He can definitely do some damage in the NA hard court swing.
@deuce
murray didnt make DP look ordinary. Despite the fact that DP was coming back from a wrist injury,it still took murray 3 sets to beat him.
tj600 , 7/14/10 8:26 AM
tj600: did u c the match at O2, cos I did? Andy has a winning h2h against Delboy.
BTW wrist couldn't have been healed, could it? Was that last time he played? Terrible shame, Andy has dodgy wrist and has kept him off for months, 2007 and 2009.
deuce , 7/14/10 2:23 PM
tj600: "Davys one of the best in the world at dealing with big hitters. He has a good record over every one except for soderling."
When you say he has a good record over *ever yone*, could you elaborate? Meaning, exactly whom?
Von , 7/14/10 5:33 PM
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Good to see Davy back in the tours. Though he is losing matches now, I think he has to keep playing to get himself back into match fitness and soon the wins will come his way. I hope he finds his form in time to defend his Hamburg title.
I always like Davy's game. His game is not based on raw power, but very much on his timing-taking the ball early- and on his intelligent play like working the angles, and his footwork too. His match against Delpo at the WTF final last year was truly impressive, moving the giant around and avoiding being blown off the court by the big giant's forehand. Really impressive stuff from Davy!
luckystar , 7/13/10 9:11 PM