Nikolay Davydenko outlasts Denis Istomin in the second round - Open de Nice Côte d’Azur 2012
Former third ranked player, Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko, came back after getting thrashed in the second set and toppled the world number 42, Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 in the round of 16 at the Open de Nice Côte
d’Azur in France on Wednesday. Davydenko required two hours and two minutes to claim victory in a close match.
The Russian and Uzbek traded two breaks of serve in the opening six games, taking the score to 3-3. Davydenko struck again in the seventh and this time he utilised it to win 6-4.
The 30-year-old, Davydenko, neither delivered any ace nor made any double fault in the opener. He, nonetheless, had a brilliant first serve percentage of 83 and bagged 17 of the 30 points on them. The Russian inflicted most of
the damage on Istomin with the help of accurate second returns, as he pocketed 10 of the 14 points.
Davydenko and Istomin began the second set by holding their serve in the opening two games to even out the score at 1-1. It was all Istomin show afterwards, as he did not allow his more experienced rival to win even a single game,
breaking the Russian twice and clinching it 6-1.
Istomin had a below average first delivery percentage of 58 and managed to seal just 10 of the 19 points on them. However, the Uzbek played superiorly when it mattered most, as he made the most of both of his break chances.
Davydenko did not lose his cool temperament after getting thrashed in the second set and started the decider with new motivation. He got the best possible start, as he made breakthroughs in the second and fourth game, consolidating
on them to move ahead 4-0. The Russian did not throw away the advantage, maintaining his lead till the end and triumphing 6-3.
The Moscow, Russia resident served superbly, putting in 79 percent of the first deliveries and clinching 14 of the 19 points on them.
Davydenko will meet either USA’s John Isner, seeded first at this event, or Xavier Malisse of Belgium in the quarter-finals.
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