Top-seeded
Nikolay Davydenko helped his Masters Cup qualifying chances Thursday with a 6-3, 6-4 dismantling of American
Paul Goldstein, leading five additional seeds into the quarterfinals at the ATP stop in St. Petersburg.
"I still feel some pain in my right hand and my shoulder," Davydenko said. "That's why I had to change my strategy in the second set."
Joining the Russian in the winner's circle were (2)
Thomas Johansson (d. Pavel), defending champ (4)
Mikhail Youzhny (d. Saulnier 1-and-1), (7)
Greg Rusedski (d. K.Kim from a set down), and (8)
Fernando Verdasco (d. Monaco).
Lining up for the Friday quarters are (8) Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco vs. Carlsen, (7) "Grinning" Greg Rusedski vs. (2) T.Johansson, (4) Youzhny vs. Vik, and (1) Davydenko vs. (5) Kiefer.
