Nikolay Davydenko Player Online Information at WagerWeb Sportsbook

Nikolay Davydenko Tennis Player Information at WagerWeb Sportsbook

Nikolay Davydenko is currently the top ranked Russian male tennis player, fifth in the world, and the winner of ten ATP singles titles. Davydenko's best result in a Grand Slam tournament has been reaching the semi-finals at the 2005 French Open, 2006 US Open and the 2007 French Open. Personal life Davydenko was born on June 2, 1981, in Severodonezk, Ukraine to Vladimir and Tatjana. At the age of 11, Nikolay left his parents in Ukraine to live with his elder brother Eduard in Volgograd, Russia in the belief that Russia would afford more opportunities to become a professional tennis player.

Years later, Davydenko explained his peripatetic youth, "I stayed 4 years in Russia. Eduard worked as a tennis coach for kids and we practiced together. He pushed me pretty hard. At 15 we left for Germany. A Russian who lived there convinced Eduard it would be better for me. In Europe I could play more tournaments and earn more money than in Russia."

Davydenko was granted Russian citizenship in 1999, at the age of 18 and has represented Russia ever since. Before the Davis Cup in 2006, Davydenko married his girlfriend and traveling companion of three years, named Irina. He currently resides in Volgograd, Russia.

Tennis career

Davydenko started playing at age 7 with his brother, Eduard who also turned professional as well. During his junior tennis years, he moved to Salmtal, Germany with his brother to further develop his tennis abilities and to play in more tournaments.

Davydenko turned professional in 1999. In 2000, he played mainly on the Futures Tour where he captured one title and reached three finals. He made his ATP debut at Amsterdam, reaching the semi-final. Later in August, he won his first Challenger title in Monchengladbach.

In 2001, Davydenko made his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open, where he made it to the 2nd round before losing to former World No. 1, Patrick Rafter in 4 sets. This performance captured the public eye of his talent and ability. Later in February, he injured his lower back in Dallas and subsequently was out for six weeks. After the injury, he came back to win two Challenger titles in Ulm and Istanbul. He finished the season with a quarter-final in Basel.

In 2002, Davydenko continued to play on both the ATP Tour and Challenger events. It was a steady year with quarter-final appearances in Bastad and Vienna. During the year he captured his fourth Challenger title in Szczecin.

Davydenko made huge strides on the ATP Tour in 2003. He opened the season with his first ATP title in Adelaide defeating Kristof Vliegen in the final. A few month later, he captured his second tour title in Estoril on clay beating Agustin Calleri. His season was backed up with solid performances on clay in Barcelona and St. Pölten, reaching the quarter final and final respectively. After a solid year, Davydenko finished in the top 50 for the first time in his career.

His progress continued in 2004, capturing two more titles for the second consecutive year. After a slow start to season, a quarter final in the Monte Carlo Masters kicked off a 10-2 matches run. A week later he won in Munich for his third title. Backed up his win by reaching the semi-final in Stuttgart losing to Guillermo Cañas. In October, he captured his first home soil victory in Moscow by winning both the singles and doubles (partnering Igor Andreev). Finished the season in the top 30 for the first time.

In 2005, began the season by reaching the quarter-final for the first time in a Grand Slam at the Australian Open. During the clay season, captured his fifth career title in St. Pölten beating home favourite, Jurgen Melzer. Continued his solid form by reaching the semi-finals of Hamburg Masters and his first Grand Slam at the French Open. There was a controversy after the French Open because he lost to Mariano Puerta in 5 close sets 3-6 7-5 6-2 4-6 4-6, who was later caught and banned for doping. He reached the top 10 for the first time after the French Open. Closed out the year by reaching the quarter-finals at the Cincinnati Masters and the Paris Masters. After a great season, allowed him to qualified Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai for the first time and reached the semi-finals losing to David Nalbandian. Finished the year as the No. 1 Russian and world No. 5.

After his rapid rise into the top 5 in 2005, Davydenko continued to stay in the top 5 for 2006. Repeated his quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open, losing to Roger Federer in 4 tight sets, 4-6 6-3 6-7(7) 6-7(5). He had another solid clay court season, reaching the final in Estoril and quarter final at the TMS Hamburg. Defended his title in Pöertschach and reached the quarter-final at the French Open for the second year. His form continued after an early loss at Wimbledon with wins in Sopot and his first American soil win in New Haven. After the win on the hardcourt season, he reached his second Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open, losing to Roger Federer. Finished the season with a win in Moscow and his first career TMS title in Paris. After getting married, Davydenko helped Russia win the Davis Cup against Argentina. Reached a career high ranking of No. 3 which he finished on for the year.

2007 started with another quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open for the third consecutive year. He was slow to find his form on clay court season; but found his form at the Rome Masters, losing in the semi-final to the "King of Clay", Rafael Nadal in an enthralling match 6-7, 7-6, 4-6. His good form continued, and he reached semi-final for the second time at the French Open, losing to Roger Federer again 5-7, 6-7, 6-7. At Wimbledon, he surprised the tennis world by reaching the 4th round on his least preferred surface. Moving to the hardcourt season in the US, Davydenko had strong showings in Canada Masters and Cincinnati Masters, reaching the quarter-final and semi-final respectively.

He is slated to play Jesse Levine in the first round of the 2007 US Open, who just completed his freshman year playing # 1 singles for the University of Florida Gators and going 24-1.

Yearly Highlights

2006

* He repeated his run to the Australian Open quarterfinals, losing to eventual champion Roger Federer in four sets.
* Davydenko won Pörtschach (clay), Sopot (clay) and New Haven (hard) beginning his hard court winning streak.
* He reached the semis outlasting Tommy Haas in the US Open quarterfinals, rebounding from a two-set deficit to win the 3 hour-45 minute epic 4-6, 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, but lost to Roger Federer 1-6, 5-7, 4-6.
* Finished the regular season by winning his second Moscow crown and his first ATP Masters Series tournament in Paris.
* Helped Russia win the Davis Cup against Argentina, 3-2.
* Davydenko finished the year as the No.1 Russian and ranked No.3 in the world.

2007

* He started out strong at Doha, losing in the semifinal to 4th seed Andy Murray in straight sets 5-7 2-6.
* At the Australian Open, he reached the quarterfinal, losing to 12th seeded Tommy Haas of Germany in 5 sets.
* At Rotterdam, as the No. 1 seed, he made it to the semifinal and had chances multiple times to take out Ivan Ljubicic, but failed to convert on those chances. Ljubicic eventually won the match in a third set tiebreaker.
* At the Rome Masters, he lost to two-time defending champion and king of clay, Rafael Nadal in the semi-final, 6-7 7-6 4-6. This was a very tight match and could have gone either way. He is the closest player to beat Nadal on clay since 2006 until Nadal's defeat to Roger Federer in Hamburg.
* Reached the semi-final at the French Open, losing to Roger Federer 5-7, 6-7, 6-7 in a closely fought match where Davydenko had many oportunities to at least win one of the sets, but lost his concentration and nerves during the tight points.
* Reached the 4th round of Wimbledon for the first time in his career before losing to Marcos Baghdatis.

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