Davydenko Wins 3rd 2006 Title at New Haven

Second seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia garnered his third title of the year, beating No. 10 seed Agustin Calleri of Argentina 6-4, 6-3 in the final Saturday night.

Davydenko, 25, played his normal steady game from the baseline, and Calleri, 29, broke down. The match lasted one hour and 21 minutes. Davydenko broke Calleri three times and saved all six break points he faced. The victor won 67 points, compared to 55 points for the vanquished.

Davydenko kept his career record against Calleri perfect at 4-0, with three of the wins coming this year. The previous two matches were at Bastad in July and Sydney in January.

Davydenko lifted his 2006 record to 49-22, while Calleri slid to 29-16. Davydenko has won 14 of his last 18 matches, and Calleri has won 17 of his last 21. The Russian has an INDESIT ATP Ranking of No. 7, while Calleri is No. 32.

This was Davydenko's fifth final of the year. He also won titles at Poertschach in May (d. Pavel) and Sopot earlier this month (d. Mayer). He was runner-up at Estoril in May (l. to Nalbandian) and at Bastad last month (l. to Robredo).

The Russian's three titles this year tie him with Tommy Haas and James Blake for third on the ATP circuit, after Roger Federer with seven and Rafael Nadal with five.

Davydenko took the crown in New Haven without losing a set. This was his first title in North America. Davydenko has played in 11 finals in his career and won eight of them. This is the fourth year in a row in which he has captured at least one title.

Calleri was playing in his second final of the year. He won the title at Kitzbuhel in July (d. Chela). Calleri has played in eight finals during his eight-year ATP career and won two of them. In addition to Kitzbuhel this year, Calleri took the crown at Acapulco in 2003 (d. Zabaleta).
-- ATP