Davydenko seeking title defence in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur marked the beginning of an outstanding autumn for Nikolay Davydenko in 2009, but as he returns to Malaysia as defending champion this year, the Russian could be hard-pressed to repeat the dose.
Davydenko was last seen in competition in the second round of the US Open, when he meekly exited to then world No. 38 Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. It was a match as notable for the Frenchman’s attacking brand of tennis as it was for his sixth seeded opponent’s own capitulation; Davydenko produced 32 unforced errors, and just 23 winners to contribute to his own downfall.
In truth, it was a performance that was indicative of Davydenko’s largely underwhelming form since his return from a broken wrist (which forced him out of the spring clay-court season) in June.
The world No. 6 returns to Malaysia then in the midst of a form slump and ostensibly in need of a confidence boost. He may well be hoping that a return to one of the scenes of his success proves just the tonic to turn it all around.
Standing in Davydenko’s way are three obvious challengers in top seed Robin Soderling, Wimbledon runner-up Tomas Berdych and US Open semi-finalist Mikhail Youzhny. All have shown better form than the second seed in recent months.
Soderling lost to Davydenko in the semi-finals here last year, but the Swede has outshone the second seed in 2010, reaching the French Open final for the second straight year and finishing as a quarter-finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Outside the Grand Slams, the world No. 5 has been in three ATP Tour finals, and has won one title. Should things go to plan in Kuala Lumpur, Soderling and Davydenko would clash in the final.
The chances of Soderling reaching the decider, however, seem decidedly better than those of the defending champion.
Berdych (Soderling’s potential semi-final opponent) bombed in Flushing Meadows with a first round loss to Michael Llodra, and followed that with losses in his two Davis Cup semi-final singles rubbers, and unless the Czech makes some big strides to regaining form here, it’s Soderling who looks to be the likely finalist from the top half of the draw.
For Davydenko, the task of making it back-to-back titles begins with a match against Russian qualifier Igor Andreev in the second round and could also include a meeting with Russian No. 2 Mikhail Youzhny in the semi-finals.
Davydenko would take a 3-2 winning edge into that match, should it eventuate, but Youzhny would draw comfort from the fact that his two wins over his compatriot have come in their two most recent matches.
Kick-starting his stuttering season with a title defence will be the aim for Davydenko in Kuala Lumpur, but the formbook – both of the 2009 winner and his main challengers – says that will be easier said than done.
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