Date:25/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/25/stories/2008052555061900.htm

Sport - Tennis

Davydenko wins again

PORTSCHACH: Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko beat defending champion Juan Monaco 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 on Saturday to win the Hypo Group International for a third time. It was Davydenko’s 13th ATP title overall and second of the season after winning the Masters Series event in Miami last month.

The fourth-ranked Russian — who also won this tournmant in 2005 and ’06 — was in command of the first set after breaking Monaco in the opening game.

In trouble

Monaco looked vulnerable from the baseline, hitting 14 unforced errors. The second-seeded Argentine got treatment for a blister on his right-hand middle finger.

Davydenko added another break to close out the set, and then was treated for a left thigh injury.

In the second set, Davydenko appeared hampered by his injury and Monaco found his rhythm, using three breaks to level the match.

Davydenko raised his game again in the decider and dominated the match from the baseline.

He wrapped up victory with a backhand winner on his second match point.

Radwanska wins

Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska beat defending champion and top seed Elena Dementieva 6-3 6-2 to win the Istanbul Cup on Saturday. Russian Dementieva started strongly, forcing a nervous-looking Radwanska to commit several errors, but the 19-year-old Polish second seed soon hit her stride after several wide shots from Dementieva.

Dementieva, who is seeded seventh at Roland Garros, looked frustrated as the second set drew to an end, hitting the ball into the net on the final point.

“I was nervous in the beginning and even in my warm up, but I was trying to play my game and I had a good match today,” said Radwanska,

Deadlocked

In the final of the World Team Cup in Dusseldorf, Russia and Sweden won one singles rubber each.

Robin Soderling defeated Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-1 to give Sweden a 1-0 lead. But, Igor Andreev pulled it back for Russia, rallying to beat Thomas Johansson 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The doubles tie will now decide the winner.

The results (All finals):

At Portschach (Hypo Group International): Nikolay Davydenko bt Juan Monaco 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.

At Casablanca (Grand Prix Hassan II): Gilles Simon bt Julien Benneteau 7-5, 6-2. At Istanbul (Istanbul Cup): Agnieszka Radwanska bt Elena Dementieva 6-3, 6-2. — Agencies