Bryans Clinch Year-End No. 1; Federer Judged Too Sexy for his Shirt

Posted on November 17, 2005

Davydenko Into Masters Semis, Gonzo Has Next

In matches only a non-refundable-ticket holder could love, Nikolay Davydenko and three replacement players for the original Top 5 that withdrew competed Wednesday at the Masters Cup in Shanghai.

Davydenko turned around an 0-5 career mark against Gaston Gaudio with a 6-3, 6-4 win to gain a spot in the semifinals, and Fernando "Gonzo" Gonzalez defeated Mariano Puerta 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 to make his shock potential-semi berth a reality.

"To be already into the semifinals is big chance for me," said Davydenko, who feared for his own safety on the sticky, unfriendly Masters Cup surface. "But everybody is injured and I'm also concentrating on not being injured. That makes it tough to play, the surface is very difficult. If you don't concentrate, you can get hurt."

Davydenko is now 4-6 career versus Top 10 players.

"This is a great chance for me," Davydenko said. "If you get a chance, you need to take it."

Gonzalez found himself $170K richer after his win, and able to reach the semis by beating Gaudio in his next match.

"Four or five days ago I was on holiday but the ATP called and asked if I wanted to come as the second alternate," said Gonzalez, who benefited from Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi pulling out on the same day earlier in the week. "I was waking up from a big party the day before and they gave me two hours to decide. It's a 30-hour trip so it's a very tough decision...Now I have a chance to go to the semifinals. It's really strange."

In early Thursday doubles action, (7) Arthurs/Hanley (d. (4) Knowles/Nestor) and (1) Bryan/Bryan (d. (5) Paes/Zimonjic 7-6 in the third) both advanced into the semifinals.

On tap for the night session Thursday in Shanghai are Ljubicic vs. Nalbandian for a spot in the semifinals, and Federer vs. Guillermo "Spider-Man" Coria.

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