Perennial SF Loser Davydenko Finally Wins 2007 Title

Russian Nikolay Davydenko again defended his home turf Sunday at the Kremlin Cup, winning the Moscow title for the third time in the last four years with a 7-5, 7-6(9) victory over Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu.

On paper it looked like Mathieu came out on top in the contest with more aces (7 to 3 for Davydenko), fewer doubles faults (3 to 9), more overall first serve points won (70% to 63%), more second serve points won (35% to 31%), more first serve return points won (37% to 30%), and more second serve return points won (69% to 65%). But the big points is where Davydenko shined, saving eight of 12 break points, and converting on five of 11.

It was the first title in the first final of the year for the perennial semifinal loser Davydenko, who has this year lost in semifinals at Doha (l. to Andy Murray), Rotterdam (l. to Ivan Ljubicic), the Masters Series-Rome (l. to Rafael Nadal), the French Open (l. to Roger Federer), the Masters Series-Cincinnati (l. to James Blake), and the US Open (l. to Federer).

Davydenko improved to 15-2 career in Moscow, winning in 2004 and 2006-07.

Mathieu had won the Moscow title in 2002.

Davydenko now travels to this week's Masters Series-Madrid, where after an opening-round bye he will face the winner of Russian countryman Marat Safin and Ivo Karlovic.