Davydenko Edges Safin for 2nd Moscow Title

In the first all-Russian final in the 17-year history of the Moscow tournament. Nikolay Davydenko defeated Marat Safin 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to win his fourth title of the year.

"Marat was playing up and down; he would play a good game then a bad one," said Davydenko who collected his fourth title in six finals on the year. "But he still gave it a hundred percent and made me raise my level in the third set. If he continues to play like this, he can go back to the Top 10."

Davydenko, who clinched his 200th career win in the semifinals, leveled his career record (2-2) against Safin, who claimed his 350th career win in the semifinals.

Safin was playing in his first final of the year and reached the Moscow final for the first time in nine attempts. He has not won a title since capturing his second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January 2005.

"He moves very well on this surface," Safin said. "It was difficult for me to control the points as I was sometimes caught wrong-footed. To beat him you must be top fit. I felt today that I was not in my best condition, I was too slow, I could hardly run."

Russian players have now won 11 of the 17 Kremlin Cup men's tournaments: Kafelnikov (5 titles), Cherkasov (2), Davydenko (2), Andreev (1), Volkov (1).