2010 BNP Paribas Masters: Nikolay Davydenko versus Michael Llorda – Match Preview
The 10th seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia and local favourite Michael Llorda will square off for the second quarter final match of 2010 BNP Paribas Masters Men’s singles tournament on Friday. Llorda advanced into the final eight round after upsetting the
last year’s winner and second seed Novak Djokovic on Thursday.
The 30-year-old Llorda of France enjoys a lifetime mark of 2-5 in Paris. He opened his account on Monday with a two setter victory over Potito Starace. The Frenchman couldn’t even win his opening round match last year as he was toppled by Benjamin Becker
in three sets.
The left hander enters with a match record of 26-20 on the year. He posted his best result of the season by winning two crowns in Marseille and Eastbourne after getting the better of Benneteau and Garcia Lopez in the title battles respectively.
He is the fourth highest ranked tennis player from France who is currently ranked number 34 in the South African Airways ATP list. Llorda achieved his career high ranking of number 28 back in September. He also advanced into the quarterfinal round in London
back in June.
Michael Llorda played in the quarter final round of Davis Cup against Spain, beating the tenth ranked Fernando in the second rubber. He is one of the three contenders in 2010 to capture a singles as well as doubles crown at the same event, at Marseille.
At number 34 in the ATP list, Llorda is the fourth highest of eleven French players in the top hundred with Tsonga leading at number thirteen on the tour. Last year, he finished in the top hundred on the fourth occasion in a row.
The professional tennis ace from Russia Nikolay, on the other hand, enjoys a lifetime mark of 14-6 in Paris. He started off his tournament’s campaign on Wednesday with a two setter win over Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil. The final match score was 6-3, 6-0. Nikolay
previously won a trophy here back in 2006 after getting the better of Hrbaty and was also a semi finalist back in 2008.
The 29-year-old Nikolay enters with a win loss mark of 29-18 on the year and is attempting to make his way into his ninth ATP World Tour quarter-final or better in 2010. His best result this season came in Doha back in January where he outlasted Roger Federer
in the final four and Rafael Nadal in the title battle to win his 20th career ATP World Tour crown. The Russian has captured at least a singles trophy for the last eight years in a row.
The right hander then followed with a final eight run at the Australian Open and in February also advanced into the semi final round in Rotterdam where he injured his wrist in his match against Robin Soderling.
Last season, Nikolay closed the year by winning his biggest crown, the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London where he brushed aside Juan Martin Del Potro in the title battle. He also surpassed Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on his way.
Nikolay has finished in the top ten for the last five years and has a 34-52 lifetime record against the top ten foes on the tour. His previous victory against a top ten contender came against Fernando in the fourth round of Australian Open back in January.
Both of them previously met two years ago where Llorda overpowered the Russian in the end. Their head to head series rests at 4-1 with Nikolay leading the pair. Having never played against each other since 2008 and considering the home advantage along with
Llorda’s excellent form this season, there is every possibility that Llodra might just move past Nikolay to advance into the semi final round of his home tournament.
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