Davydenko ends Murray's hopes in Shanghai
Saturday, 15 Nov 2008 20:13
Murray could not find his best form against Davydenko
Nikolay Davydenko has beaten Andy Murray 7-5 6-2 in the semi-finals of the Masters Cup in Shanghai.
Murray, who was previously unbeaten in the tournament, looked tired following his epic three-hour match against Roger Federer yesterday and could not compete with the Russian.
Davydenko will now face Novak Djokovic in the final after the Serbian beat Gilles Simon of France in the earlier semi-final.
Murray did well to stay with Davydenko in the first set until a vital break of serve at 5-5 handed the set to the Russian.
The Scot had already lost his opening service game and was down 2-0 before managing to get back on terms with the world number five.
Both men were serving well after that and break point opportunities were hard to come by but Davydenko managed to force a game to go to deuce on the Murray serve and when he hit a tame forehand into the net the Russian was given the upper hand.
In the second set yesterday's heroics appeared to catch up with Murray. He rallied well to hold his first two service games but Davydenko seized a vital break to go 4-2 ahead.
Murray was a spent force and the Russian powered through his next service game and then sailed into the final by breaking Murray once more.
Djokovic will provide the Russian with tough opposition in the final as he remains undefeated in the tournament.
He came from a set behind to beat Simon 4-6 6-3 7-5. Djokovic and Davydenko met earlier in the week with the Serbian prevailing on that occasion.