Nikolay Davydenko trounces Denis Istomin to reach quarters – Proton Malaysian Open 2012
Russian contender, Nikolay Davydenko, tumbled the Uzbekistani number one, Denis Istomin, in straight sets at the Proton Malaysian Open 2012 on Thursday. He nudged up a 7-5, 6-4 success against the world number 46 to secure a place in the final eight at this
ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 Series event taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Russian veteran brought his experience into handy to overpower Istomin in one hour and 41 minutes. The players last met each other in Nice and after recording this victory, Davydenko not only improved to a 2-0 lifetime in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head Series
against the Russian-born Istomin but also advanced into the last eight at this indoor hard court event.
Davydenko thundered into the Putra Indoor Stadium. He drew the first blood in the opening game and took the initial lead. Despite losing his edge in the 10th game, the Russian remained focused and broke his rival’s serve again in the very next
game. Davydenko held his serve once again and pulled out the opener with a 7-5 score line.
Ranked 44th in the South African Airways ATP world Tour Rankings, Davydenko maintained his intensity in the following set. He got the coveted break in the opening game and jumped to a 2-0 lead. Regardless of losing his edge in the fourth game,
the Russian remained calm and eventually carved out the victory with a 6-4 score line after cashing in another break chance in the seventh game.
On the whole, Davydenko spilled six double faults but withstood five aces to prevail. He produced a better first serve share and impressively marked 38 out of 54 points on it.
Up next for Davydenko is the third seed, Kei Nishikori from Japan.
“They are both good base line players. I lost to Nishikori in the Olympics and I would like to meet him again,” said the jubilant Russian in a courtside interview after conquering Istomin.
The Japanese number one hit back to overpower Spain’s Albert Ramos in a three-set thriller to set up this clash. He needed two hours and 12 minutes to outclass Ramos for the third straight time and advance at this tournament.
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