Dawidienko królem Kataru! Nadal podzielił los Federera

Nikołaj Dawidienko po wielkim tenisowym spektaklu pokonał Rafela Nadala 0:6 7:6(8) 6:4 i sięgnął po główną nagrodę turnieju ATP w Dausze. Wcześniej, w meczu półfinałowym, Rosjanin odprawił z kwitkiem samego Rogera Federera.

Hiszpan już od samego początku udowodnił, że bardzo zależy mu nie tylko na tym, żeby zrewanżować się Rosjaninowi za dwie ostatnie porażki (podczas turniejów w Szanghaju i Londynie), ale przede wszystkim na pokazaniu swojej wielkiej formy sportowej, do której wraca po okresie zmagań z problemami zdrowotnymi.

Czterokrotny zwycięzca Roland Garros od pierwszych minut zdecydowanie dominował na placu gry. Już w drugim gemie przełamał serwis przeciwnika i szybko objął prowadzenie 3:0. Dawidienko, niemal cały czas zepchnięty do głębokiej defensywy, odgrywał piłki w pół kortu i zachęcał przeciwnika do ataku. Nadal bezlitośnie wykorzystywał każdą sytuację, doprowadzając Rosjanina do rozpaczy. Z żelazną konsekwencją przerzucał kolejne topspinowe forhendy i z zapasem dwóch przełamań wygrał seta 6:0.

Rosjanin z niesamowitą determinacją ruszył do walki w drugim secie. Stojący na fenomenalnym poziomie, pierwszy gem, przynajmniej w jakimś stopniu zrekompensował nam jednostronny obraz gry. I choć zawsze solidny Dawidienko miał kilka szans break pointowych, to nie udało mu się przełamać "dominatora" z Majorki.

Kiedy w kolejnym gemie, po 50 minutach gry Rosjanin zdobył pierwszego gema, na trybunach rozległ się gromki aplauz. Tym samym rozpoczął się nowy rozdział w tym spotkaniu. Obserwowaliśmy wiele zapierających dech w piersiach wymian, z których coraz częściej zwycięsko wychodził Rosjanin. Przy stanie 2:2 zawodnik z Wołgogradu przejął inicjatywę, częściej wchodził w kort i niespodziewanie odebrał serwis Nadala. Do tego poprawił skuteczność serwisu, a jego akcje przy siatce przypominały najlepsze akcje z trawników Wimbledonu. Hiszpan podarował też trochę prezentów. Rosjanin z zimną krwią rozrzucał przeciwnika po całym korcie i wyszedł na 5:3.

Kiedy trzeci set wisiał w powietrzu, Hiszpan poderwał się do walki, obronił piłki setowe i objął prowadzenie 6:5. Ostatecznie doszło do rozgrywki tie breakowej, w której emocje sięgnęły zenitu. „Kola” zaczął od prowadzenia 4:1, by za chwilę przegrywać 4:5. Przy piłce meczowej Hiszpana, przeprowadził szaleńczy atak do siatki i odgrywając agresywnego woleja, zmusił Nadala do popełnienia błędu. Później obronił jeszcze jeden punkt mistrzowski dla rywala i przepięknym bekhendem po linii zakończył dodatkowego gema w stosunku 10:8, doprowadzając tym samym do rozstrzygającego seta.

Trzecią partię Dawidienko rozpoczął mocnym akcentem, łatwo wygrywając swój serwis. Tym samym odpowiedział Hiszpan, choć musiał bronić break pointa. Do kluczowego momentu doszło w trzecim gemie, w którym nastąpiło przełamanie serwisu Rosjanina i na tablicy widniał wynik 3:1 na korzyść drugiego tenisisty światowego rankingu. Nikołaj nie byłby sobą, gdyby nie odparł ataku. Po raz kolejny udowodnił, że ma niesamowitą wolę walki i wspaniałe umiejętności, wychodząc na prowadzenie 4:3. Zawodnicy prezentowali momentami tenis z innej planety. Dawidienko przyparł Nadala do ściany i ponownie odebrał jego serwis, a tym samym zdobył 20. tytuł w karierze.

Eurosport.pl - Maciek Blada

Turniej ATP w Dausze. Triumf Dawidienki!

Rosjanin Nikołaj Dawidienko pokonał rozstawionego z numerem drugim Hiszpana Rafaela Nadala 0:6, 7:6 (10-8), 6:4 w finale turnieju ATP tenisistów na twardych kortach w Dausze (z pulą nagród 1,024 mln dolarów).

Wcześniej Dawidienko wyeliminował turniejową i światową "jedynkę" - Szwajcara Rogera Federera.

W sobotę wydawało się, że Nadal nie da szans niżej notowanemu rywalowi. Pewnie wygrał pierwszego seta. Gdy w drugim oddał pierwszego gema Rosjaninowi, Dawidienko uniósł ręce w geście triumfu, a kibice zgotowali mu owację.

To wyraźnie zmotywowała rozstawionego z trójką tenisistę - zdołał doprowadzić do tie breaka, którego wygrał 10-8. W decydującym secie dwukrotnie przełamał podanie Nadala i mógł się cieszyć z pierwszego zwycięstwa w 2010 roku.

Spotkanie trwało dwie godziny i 43 minuty.

Nikołaj Dawidienko (Rosja, 3) - Rafael Nadal (Hiszpania, 2) 0:6, 7:6 (10-8), 6:4.

http://www.tenisowy.com/news/1254/turni … dawidienki

Doha: niesamowite przebudzenie Dawydienki

Sobota była dniem niezwykłych finałów. Najpierw w Brisbane niezapomniane widowisko stworzyły Kim Clijsters i Justine Henin, a następnie na równie wysoki poziom wznieśli się Nikołaj Dawydienko i Rafael Nadal w Doha. 28-letni Rosjanin wygrał turniej Qatar Exxon Mobil Open, pomimo że został rozgromiony w pierwszym secie. Wynik trwającego 2 godziny i 43 minuty finału to 0:6, 7:6(8), 6:4.

W pierwszej partii na korcie niepodzielnie rządził fantastycznie usposobiony Nadal. 23-letni mistrz z Manacor nie dał Rosjaninowi żadnych szans. Oddał mu zaledwie 11 punktów i ani jednego gema. Honorowy punkt na tablicy wyników Dawydienko zapisał przy swoim nazwisku dopiero po 52 minutach gry. Fakt ten został nagrodzony gromkimi brawami widzów zgromadzonych w kompleksie Khalifa w Doha. Jednak to, co wydawało się uniknięciem kompromitacji, okazało się punktem zwrotnym. Dawydienko z każdą chwilą się rozkręcał, parł to przodu i zmuszał Nadala do coraz większego wysiłku. W końcu udało mu się przełamać Hiszpana. Wicelider rankingu ATP zdołał jednak odrobić stratę i doprowadzić do tie breaka. 28-letni Rosjanin nie zrezygnował jednak z ofensywnej gry i częstych wizyt przy siatce. Niezwykłe emocje towarzyszyły kibicom w tie breaku. Lepiej rozpoczął Dawydienko, ale następnie gra się wyrównała, setbole marnował Rosjanin, a meczbole Nadal. W końcu szalę na swoją stronę przeważył zwycięzca ubiegłorocznego Masters w Londynie. Szósty w rankingu Dawydienko triumfował 10-8. W decydującym secie obaj tenisiści utrzymali wysoki poziom. W początkowej fazie seta panowie uzyskali po jednym breaku, ale kluczowy okazał się dziesiąty gem. Serwujący przy stanie 4:5 Rafael Nadal nie zdołał utrzymać podania, dając tym samym turniejowe zwycięstwo Dawydience.

Nikołaj Dawydienko zdobył 20. tytuł w zawodowej karierze i potwierdził doskonałą formę z końca poprzedniego sezonu, która dała mu triumf w mistrzostwach ATP w Londynie. 28-letni Rosjanin wykazał się niezwykłymi umiejętnościami i wolą walki, przez co należy stawiać go w gronie faworytów zaczynającego się 17 stycznia Australian Open.

Dzięki sobotniemu zwycięstwu Dawydienko otrzyma 185 850 dolarów oraz 250 punktów do rankingu ATP. Poprawił także bilans konfrontacji z Nadalem na 5:4. Warto przypomnieć, iż w fazie półfinałowej Rosjanin wygrał z Rogerem Federerem.

http://www.tenisklub.pl/?req=news&newsI … 9fcf2ef15c

Nikolay Davydenko puts critics to sword

NIKOLAY Davydenko is international sport's most unlikely success symbol.

More accountant than athlete, reclusive Davydenko has operated on the fringes of world tennis for the best part of a fine career.

On the surface, he shapes as Mr Bland wielding Excalibur.

Beyond the stony face, Davydenko is one of the most perplexing characters on tour.

By turns, dour and hilarious, sincere and careless.

What is beyond dispute is the fact he was vilified after an investigation into a mid-match betting plunge in one of his matches in Sopot in 2007.

No charges were laid, but the damage was done.

If Davydenko is unfazed by accusations of being boring, charisma-free and mercenary, others are less enamoured by the slurs.

Beaten by Davydenko at the ATP World Tour finals in London in November after winning the pair's first 12 matches, Roger Federer rounded on the doubters and the accusers.

Asked if Davydenko was sufficiently respected, Federer said: "Well, I don't know if you guys (media) have respect.

"I have. I think it's most important that he has respect from his fellow players.

"I think he didn't have the easiest of last few years . . . where people suspected him of doing bad things in the sport.

"He had a cloud over his name for quite some time, which was not very fair.

"I think he handled it very well towards the end.

"To be able to continue playing this well by being asked always the same stupid questions must not have been very easy for him.

"So I respect him not only for that, but obviously for the player he is."

Dubbed the invisible man because of his low profile, Davydenko again claimed Federer's scalp in Doha to emerge as a legitimate grand slam contender.

He has been an under-achiever at the highest level, failing to reach a major final despite being a top-10 fixture.

The Russian struggles to explain his success, other than to point to the obvious -- hard work and a willingness to travel anywhere to play.

"I'm smaller (178cm and 70kg)," Davydenko said of his slight physique.

"It's like you can play different tennis. Not only big serve; you can get good return, running, good control baseline, play volley.

"How fast you running also is important, and, for sure, concentration. It's like everything together.

"I practise two hours a day. Much running."

Sages believe Davydenko would almost certainly have captured one of the big four by now if not for a slight hitch -- grand slam matches are mostly played outdoors, in the heat, and over best of five sets.

If the Australian Open was exclusively indoors and over best of three sets, Davydenko would rightly fancy his chances.

As it is, Davydenko is the most dominant player on the ATP World Tour, triumphing in last year's Shanghai Masters, ATP World Tour Finals and, a week ago, the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.

He not only defeated Federer in Qatar, he rocked Rafa Nadal by saving two match points en route to victory.

"The first set was 6-0, everybody saw it," the 28-year-old said of the Doha final.

"But if you saw the match, it was not so easy.

"I really had the chance to win some games, but I played a little bit slowly, he played much faster.

"(In the end) I think he lost a little bit of concentration and lost the match. For me it was a really good fight."

That is always the way for the baseliner. Should Melbourne Park escape its traditional January heatwave, Davydenko may yet vault to a success once considered beyond him.

If there are any doubts about that, run it past Roger Federer.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nikol … 5820454961

Wywiad z Denko po meczu 1 rundy AO

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You are one of the favorites of the tournament. How do you deal with this? This year many players like Nadal or Murray thought Davydenko can win.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Oh, really? Surprising, you know, these guys start to talking about me, because maybe now. Before, if nobody talking, then nobody scare. Now it's everyone scare. That's what's is start to talking about me and favorites and everything.

But it's interesting feeling. Now I feel like I can beat everyone. That's was these guys now, you know, something feel different. Before no because I know I can win, but mostly I losing against these guys. But now I can beat everyone. It's good feeling.

Q. Your confidence is 200%, 400%?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, maybe about these guys, yes. But, you know, if I play against top 10, it's coming quarterfinals, semifinal. But before I need to reach this level. I need to win second, third round, you know, to become this level, to become this level of 200%.

Q. Do you enjoy scaring people?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Enjoy which people?

Q. Scaring everybody that you're scaring now.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Oh, you mean... Yes, why not? Really, you know, if somebody scare of me, if I go on the court, it's very good. You know, then I have more confidence. If I don't feel by self good, I know everybody scare play against me, and I still have something, you know, feel I can win this match.

Q. This is a new feeling then?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Why new feeling? I have always the same feeling, but now little bit better. Little better feeling.

Q. Do you feel the attitudes of the other players, the top players, have really changed towards you?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know. It's like, say, we play London like two months ago. You know, I don't know how is changed now in these two months. I know it's top guys have every tournaments very high level.

But every week, every tournament's different. You know, some guys play better there. Like, say, Federer play better in Wimbledon. But, like, say in Roland Garros different, or in other Grand Slam is different.

Is not these guys, like all top 5 guys have the same level in all tournaments. I see in some tournaments it's different level, and I know it's playing not so good and they are play much better.

That's was now it's just Grand Slam. I really don't know who is this guy who get now the hundred percent now play very well here and who is the favorite here. It's just begin first week, and we will see what's can happen the second week already.

Q. Your win in the Masters, what has it changed for you?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Really nothing. Just I won $1 million. It's okay. Nothing special (laughter.)

Q. What did you do with all this money? Did you buy a house in Russia?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Not yet. Not yet. Some invest money. You know, if you win money, you need to make more money. That's what's I try to do. Not only with tennis make money. Something else. Some business also to do. Because with tennis you can't do this so much money.

That's was is very important after tennis what you can do and how you invest your money in what you do after.

Q. Did you buy something for your wife?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Look, if I buy everything to my wife, how I can invest money?

Yes, for sure I buy something. But not so much, you know, what people think about this.

Q. What did you buy for her?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: You know, I was after like London was two weeks in Maldives. I spent all this money there because we have good holiday. I don't think about how much I spend there. It's was good vacation. Was very enjoy.

Q. Do you notice anything about yourself, that you're playing better, anything that is better now?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I think start to play little bit much better volley to play. You know, if you see my match against Nadal in final in Doha, I start to go to the net. I start to make some points volley, make so many winners volley. Maybe a little bit better serve sometimes.

But try, try to do different. It's not only I just think about only baseline. For sure baseline. I want to be fast. I want to running fast. Like Del Potro tell me now I am like PlayStation 3 in London. Now I try to come level PlayStation 4, to be faster and faster. I hope I can do this. It's very important to me.

Q. Has Del Potro taught you to play PlayStation?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yes. Like in London, everyone just start to talking about me like I'm like PlayStation player. Like if you play against me in PlayStation, the same level. I'm moving fast, play fast.

That's what is good. Everybody thinking I am very fast on the court. And I want to practicing like this. I want to keep this level, like PlayStation.

Q. Who won at PlayStation?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, like say Del Potro play against me in PlayStation. He lost in London. You understand, yeah?

Q. Since you won the Masters, are you more recognized in the street? Do you sign more autographs?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I hope not. Then is not so many like say celebrity guys. I am not Paris Hilton. I don't want to be like this. I don't want to be like Nadal, Federer. These guys I never see by breakfast. They stay in the room and take room service.

For me better go downstairs, you know, take breakfast, or dinner to go somewhere, not to be so much famous.

Q. Are you a celebrity in Russia?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No. Also not. Russia's big country. Really big country. And some part, like in some place, yes, but not everywhere.

Q. Do you think players like Federer and Nadal have an advantage here because you have to win three sets? They always do well in Grand Slams. Do you think it can change something?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know. It's always talk about Federer, Nadal, Federer, Nadal. Yeah, these guys always come in the final, play against guys both in finals in every Grand Slam.

But who knows now. If you see Wimbledon was Roddick, Del Potro was US Open. Game is change now. Have top 10 guys is pretty hard. If you see Soderling was in the final of Paris. It's not always Federer and Nadal in finals. It start to change in tennis.

I hope not to be anymore only Nadal‑Federer.

Q. You say the Masters didn't change a lot. Except for the money of course, is it going to change something if you win this tournament?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't know. Is here 50% tax. Cannot make millions here. Really is change only in your career, in your feeling, in your like, say, life because you won Grand Slam.

Yes, it's just titles. It's not only money. It's already some titles. I have already 20 titles. Yes, every tournament I win is my life is my title.

It's for sure if I continue, in tennis I feel I have so many titles and memories still feeling, yes. And some memories, some tournaments, like London, Shanghai, Miami, Paris. It's really big tournaments for me. For sure if I'm winning Grand Slam tournaments, it's still my memory.

Q. How much time did you spend in Maldives?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Two weeks. I start to teach diving. Now I am professional diving. Something you need to teach, something you need to learn, something different, not think about tennis.

Q. How deep did you go in diving?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Beginning 18 meters. Second step 40 meters. Next step, end of this year, I want to go 40 meters down.

Q. Do you talk to your wife a lot about tennis? Is she the one you confide in?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Sometimes if I feel ‑‑ no, if she ‑‑ like ‑‑ if I play bad or feel like something wrong, she start to talk to me about tennis. If everything okay, no. Is no question.

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/new … 52296.html

Nikołaj Dawidienko: Nie jestem Paris Hilton

Uważany za "czarnego konia" turnieju tenisowego Australian Open Nikołaj Dawidienko jest sportowcem, który nie rzuca się w oczy i nie dba o popularność. Po pokonaniu w pierwszej rundzie Niemca Dietera Kindlmanna 6:1, 6:0, 6:3 powiedział krótko - nie jestem Paris Hilton.
Miejscowi kibice rzeczywiście mogą mieć trudności z rozpoznaniem szóstej rakiety świata, gdyby zobaczyli niewysokiego mężczyznę w dresie, siedzącego w rogu sali i spożywającego obiad. - Nie chcę być taki, jak oni. Jak Rafa i Roger. Tych facetów nigdy nie widziałem przy śniadaniu. Pozostają w swoich pokojach i korzystają z obsługi hotelowej. Ja wolę zejść na śniadanie lub obiad. Dla mnie jest lepiej, że nie jestem tak sławny - powiedział Rosjanin. Jak przyznał, nawet w ojczyźnie nie jest rozpoznawany. - To naprawdę wielki kraj - wyjaśnił.

2009 rok Dawidienko zakończył wspaniale, wygrywając z Federerem, Nadalem i mistrzem USA Argentyńczykiem Juanem del Potro. Dzięki temu triumfował w Masters w Londynie. Ten sukces niewiele zmienił w jego sportowym życiu. Zarobił tylko więcej niż przedtem, potem pojechał na dwutygodniowy urlop z żoną na Malediwach. Ta przerwa dobrze mu zrobiła. W nowym sezonie znowu jest niepokonany. Ponownie wygrał z Federerem i Nadalem, tym razem w turnieju w Dausze.

Przeciwnicy zauważyli zmianę w jego grze. Znaną im szybkość poruszania się po korcie połączył z "ciągiem" na siatkę. Po przegranej z nim w Londynie del Potro powiedział mu, że grało mu się, jak z postacią z gry komputerowej. - Chcę być szybki, chcę biegać szybko. Del Potro powiedział mi, że jestem jak z PlayStation 3. Wszyscy wiedzą, że jestem szybki. Teraz staram się być jeszcze szybszym i przejść na poziom PlayStation 4. Mam nadzieję, że to mi się uda - zakończył Dawidienko.

http://www.sportowefakty.pl/tenis/2010/ … is-hilton/

Pan PS chce przejść na wyższy poziom.

Niestety Mikołaj jest przykładem, jak zbyt długie oczekiwanie na sukces i patrzenie jak inni go osiągają nasącza żółcią; trochę przykro czyta się wywiady z nim od kiedy wygrał WTF. Faktycznie nie jest jak Federer i Nadal i nigdy nie będzie; trochę tylko dziwi, że wybrał sobie za cel kiepskich docinków człowieka, który jako bodaj jedyny z czołowych graczy wsparł go publicznie, kiedy Kola był traktowany jak trędowaty.

Ostatnio edytowany przez Robertinho (20-01-2010 19:29:37)

Art napisał:

Dla mnie w ogóle dziwny jest Kola. Najpierw zarzuca Federerowi i Nadalowi, że myślą tylko o tenisie, a to on sam gra częściej i gdzie się tylko da; później mówi, że nie zależy mu na popularności choc jak pamiętam całkiem niedawno żalił się, że tak mało osób mu kibicuje i liczył, że przejmie sympatie ludzi po odchodzącym Maracie. Coś chyba za bardzo to się kupy nie trzyma.

Chciałbym w całej rozciągłości się po tym podpisać.

Wywiad po meczu 2 rundy AO:

An interview with:
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Perfect start of the tournament.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, two matches, three sets. That's good. Second match play better. Baseline was control and fighting first two sets. Something important I think for me. You know, play from baseline, running, you know, like fighting I think is good.

Q. Did your opponent look scared?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't think so. You know, qualifying guys really don't scare because nothing to lose. You know, just go, play, do the best result.

That's what's should be I need to scare against these guys because I don't know these guys, how he's playing. That's was is now different. It's not like between guys top 10 who is scare. This is now top 10 and something 150 in the world. You know, it's now different position.

But really I'm feeling I can win against these guys, and not to get hundred percent fit form, you know, say like not to be in the best level.

Q. Something more personal. Looking at your bio, I see you changed nationality when you were 18. Before you were Ukrainian. Can you explain a little bit why that happened.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: It was one country. It was not Ukraine or Russia before. That's was I didn't change. I didn't have before 16, like say.

Just move to Russia. Everything was there. It's like doesn't matter where you be. Then was Russia. I was 11, like 12, and after my 16 age, I have my passport, I have citizenship Russian.

I didn't change anything from Ukrain to Russia passport, no.

Q. Would you love to write a book? Because you're an interesting figure, a great character.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Write a book? You mean a humor book? Tennis book? Action book? I don't know.

Q. Whatever.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, no, no. Maybe. Really, I don't know. I still play tennis. I don't know what I can do after if I continue tennis really. It's interesting.

I would like to go in business, but I don't want to lose my money also in the business. That's different decision and difficult what I can do.

Q. Why are you always talking about money every time?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Because we are Russian (smiling.) Russian always talking about money. And you know all Russian can get only cash, not like you guys, only credit cards also. But not always getting money.

In tennis, for us, it's most important winning and titles to get, you know. Because we have not so long career. Like if we play 10 years, in 10 years if you win some tournaments, you can tell your kids what you did.

Because, you know, if my kids asking, Papa, why you not working? What you doing now? I need to explain what I did, how was my life was before. That's was different situation. Not like normal people, you know, working and get to some job, and then kids can say in school about what's parents doing.

That's what's in my position is different now.

Q. Are you a vodka drinker?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yes.

Q. Is that where you get your strength from?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, I don't drink really. I don't drink so much because, you see, I'm skinny. I mix only. Sometimes I drink clear vodka, sometimes mixed with Red Bull. Little bit get power in night club or disco.

Because if I drink only vodka I go sleep straight. That's what's something change.

Q. If you retire and you explain to your children why you're not working anymore...

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: It's interesting. We're not talking about tennis. We're talking about my life. This is my first experience like this in the press (laughter.)

Q. If you explain that you don't have a Grand Slam victory in a tournament, would you be happy?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I think so, yes. I just explain what I did, you know. It's not only think about Grand Slam. I did my job. I did my, you know, tennis career. Some guys didn't win anything, you know.

But also you can explain something. He beat somebody, you know, in top 10, or winning some great matches. I can explain I have now 20 titles. That's what's was I can explain Davis Cup win. That's something I can and something I can explain my kids. I hope I can. I hope I can have kids also in the futures. We'll see.

Q. Would you want to have them so they can still see you play?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yes. No. Yes and no. Really, I would like have kids now, like Federer already two have, or Hewitt. You know, we have the same age. But my wife don't want to, you know, stay at home. She travel with me now.

At least now is important time. Now I'm top 10. She scared about if I start to, with kids, lose tennis and go down, stray. That's was because I start to miss and I want to go home. I don't want to practicing. That's what's is different.

Maybe for me is better for me be with my wife at this time, no kids. If I be out of top 10, maybe for sure. You know, for sure. But yet is difficult decision to be top 10 and something change.

But I like it maybe.

Q. She thinks you can win the tournament, your wife?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: She think always I can win everything. But not everything I can win.

Q. And what do you think? You are the favorite or one of the favorites of the tournament.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I never think about any tournaments I am favorite. Doesn't matter which one, 250 or Grand Slam, because I know I can also lose not only top‑10 guys, but I can lose also No. 15 or hundred. It's depends how you feel.

I know I'm very good player. If I feel good, I for sure I can beat everyone. But not every day you can feel good. That's was difficult. It was also like in Grand Slam. I hope I can feel every day good here in Australia.

For sure, feeling good you can win matches and you can win, you know, tournament. But, you know, it's only four days here. Just second round. Still, you know, continue, you know, in tournament. We'll see how is it feeling.

Q. Your victory against Federer in London has changed something for you? More confidence since this victory?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yes, yes. Maybe in the match. It's not like ‑‑ like if you remember, I beat Nadal before, some 'nother guys. If I play against Federer, and I know so many matches like 4‑All, I have set points and I losing sets.

It what's happening I think in Roland Garros in semifinal. I have in every set set points, and I lose three sets. This is really change my mind now. If you see like I was also in London in the third set was 5‑All or something, 5‑4 for Federer, and for sure he want to continue match. For sure he want to win now, you know, this match.

And he have chance, because it's was like Love‑30 or 15‑30, and then something in my mind ‑‑ I have good points. I did some well. I have good confidence at this time, and then I break him.

Something change these like few minutes, and winning, beat Federer. Already in second match in Doha I be more positive, more confidence. I know if be something by 5‑All or 4‑All or something, in much important points, I have chance win these points. That's was something change really.

Q. You said your wife says she thinks you can win every tournament you enter.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: That's because she's my wife.

Q. After, does she analyze your tournament?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yes, for sure. She analyze because she's travel with me already six years. Because in sitting with my brother, and brother always talking about what I did, right, left, everything, forehand. She can coaching me already.

She can explain what I did wrong in the match after the match. It's interesting, because I cannot see really what is a problem was in the match for sure, and she can explain.

Q. So she's a good coach?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Maybe in the future. Just tactic.

Q. How do you feel about a possible matchup with Verdasco in the quarters?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Everything in possible. I don't know what the score against Verdasco. I already played many times against him. Many times was fighting. Last time was in Kuala Lumpur final, 7‑5, 7‑5. Hard match.

I think for him here, I think he have good confidence. For him it's very well now, these balls, this surface, stadium. Just he feeling great.

We see if we can reach to Verdasco. Then we can talk about Verdasco.

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Wywiad po meczu 3 rundy AO10:

An interview with:
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. In the 12 straight wins you conceded fewer games in a Grand Slam in this tournament. Can you keep up this excellent form? Do you think about it?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Really, it's difficult to say why it's happening. Maybe it's good. I was feeling today was much better my concentration in a match. And beginning start already. I fighting for every point, and that's what maybe it was 6‑Love in the first set and 3‑Love. Because like say I didn't make it any mistake, you know, like say nine games.

But I can't holding all match like this. I know I losing in some points with concentration, some games. I can losing games. That's was I start to get really tired in the end of second set and was already start for my difficult.

Holding the same level like first set and third set is really different was.

Q. Why are you playing better tennis this year than last year or the year before?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Because I'm older. (Laughter.). I don't know really. It's difficult, really difficult to say why. Maybe it's depends how many matches you did and against who you play and against who you win.

Maybe if like last year I beat so many good guys: Federer, Nadal, and you know, Del Potro. Also like in Shanghai, I beat Djokovic. Very tough matches. It's like feeling I have very good confidence. Maybe my tennis a little bit change. Maybe I start to play a bit faster and do not so many mistake.

It's really you can talk about tennis many hours. It's really difficult explain here in press why it's change.

Q. This year, everyone thinks you can win a Grand Slam. Did you think that about yourself last year or is it different this year?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Last year I didn't play here. It's very good for me. I feeling very good confidence now.

Q. But in the slams before, Wimbledon, US Open.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I really also surprising in Paris last year. I did very good match against Verdasco, and I really play very bad against Soderling in the quarterfinal. Sometimes I don't understand this feeling.

You know, really it's ‑‑ I hope ‑‑ you know, I hope I holding this level, you know. Every day and all this tournament, all these two weeks before.

Also in Roland Garros happened. Before match, I feel very good. Like my confidence was very high. Wake up next day, you know, just before match, I feel complete different situation. I lost three sets easy.

That's was I don't want to tell you guys, yes, now I want to win. Like say for sure I want to win now here Grand Slam. But this level, if I keep it, maybe I have chance. Maybe I have chance to win. Depends how every match. You know, like now I have Verdasco.

It's also not easy. Okay, I beat him many times. Last year he was semifinal here and he play very well here. For sure he want to play the same level like last year. That's my feeling. It's what I do in the court now, like every match. For me, it's important. That's was you guys. You want to think whatever you want. (Smiling.)

Q. Are you a superstitious man? Are you repeating what you do before every match that you've been on this run since London? Do you have superstitions?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Not really. No, I always forget what was passing me. Just I want to see in the next week, in the future, what I can do better.

For sure I see some, you know, realize some mistake, what I did last week and like last tournament. For sure I don't want to do next week. For me, it's for sure important do ‑‑ I think for my life, for my career, for my tennis, do my perfect tennis. Find this perfect tennis. Play fast, to do no mistake. Play volley. Everything.

I'm 28. I hope I can do in 29 and 30 much better. We'll see how my body, you know, still be with no injury. I think if I can holding like this to be fit for this season, I hope I can.

Q. So much of the emphasis on tennis these days in the men's game is about players who are 6'7", 6'9". We have Karlovic, Isner, Del Potro. Huge men. Here you are.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Come on. But I am not so small.

Q. Relatively.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: To another guy, maybe.

Q. There are different ways of succeed in tennis.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: But these guys running like me? No.

Q. Trying.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: These guys just have different tennis. I think it's now at this time, if you see, it's tennis is so much different. Everybody can play. You know, some guys who make good serve and play volley and another guys running play only baseline and play very well.

That's was I ‑‑ Nadal also 6'0".

Q. A lot of stories in the papers are about how the male tennis player is getting bigger and bigger. When you walk past Isner you must think he's a giant.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: But why everybody scare me? Of me, I mean.

Q. Maybe you scare them more than they scare you.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yeah, but I hope I do my level, you know, and I can beat every 6'0" guys in the tour.

Q. Are you still one of the least‑known players? Do you get bothered for your autograph? You said no one in London did at all. Are you becoming a little bit more...

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: If I go outside now here, it's be difficult to do in autograph. But in the street in the city, yes it's easy. Nobody recognize me and it's good feeling really. Really good feeling.

Q. You live your life.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Yes. I like what ‑‑ how I enjoy my life, yes, like this.

Q. If you make the final, would you like to play on Margaret Court Arena? You've spent a lot of time out there. Are you disappointed that you haven't played on center court yet?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: No, no. Why? It's always I know I starting here at Australia at Show Court 2, Margaret, then maybe Vodafone, like before was, yeah.

I don't know. Rod Laver, it's from quarterfinal always I starting to play. That's was I think it's good. I know I'm not like No. 1, No. 2 like always will need to play on center court.

But, if I know if I reach quarterfinal and I play center, it's also good feeling, you know, like coming here, 2010, I play if center court Australian Open.

Q. If you win a Grand Slam, what do you think will happen in Russia?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't go to Russia after Australian Open. That's was nothing happen there. (Laughter.) I have another tournaments, you know. I celebrate another tournaments then. It's okay.

Q. Do you think the people of Russia will celebrate?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I don't think so. It's not like football. Not really. In soccer, yes, everybody go in the street drinking. But I don't think so if I win Grand Slam everybody start to drink, all Russia. I don't think so. But it's Monday. It be Monday next day and everybody need work.

Q. Do you think you'll get a call from Marat Safin if you win?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: He's now in Argentina. How can I call him?

Q. You don't think he will call you if you win a Grand Slam?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Why if I see him in Davis Cup in Moscow?

Q. If you're in Russia, do people recognize you in the streets? Do they know you?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Sometimes looking me, and then not believe it's me. Because Russia, like people think about how he can walk on the street because always he driving car. Never you see, you know, really famous people just walking somewhere.

Like say if you go in, I don't know, like in the bath sitting somewhere, people watching you and go, No, it's can't be him. It's not normal. It's mentally Russian.

Q. When the girls won Grand Slam and Myskina won the French Open, Putin rung her up. Do you expect a call from Medvedev?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Call? He didn't know my mobile number. But he did already send me to Russian Federation after I won London. Yeah, that's was very nice, what he did.

Q. What did he do? Tell us what he did.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: What he did? Just congratulate me winning World Cup in London, blah, blah, blah. Just letter. Like he want to send to me in London, but he don't know which hotel I stay. That's was he send to Russian Federation. I hope I pick up now this letter if I go to Moscow.

Q. Is the tournament really beginning now?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Now tournament begin? Yeah, I'm already spend two weeks here.

Q. Is it getting tough, the real tournament is starting now?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Maybe. I don't know. We will see after Verdasco match. Just now we all top 10 players. Yeah, it's fourth round. Yeah, like I tell before, also difficult for me third round because very good player. Mostly everybody good player. Depends of me, how I play.

If I play well, I hope I have chance to win.

Q. If you had to marry another Russian tennis player, who would it be?

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Marry?

Q. Get married, like husband and wife.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: If I married another tennis player? Man or woman? (Laughter.). I have already wife. I have my beautiful wife. I don't want to have any ‑‑

IRINA DAVYDENKO: I hear you.

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: She's here.

Q. Sorry about that. (Laughter.)

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