Match Reports
Davydenko Digs Deep in Victory
c EPA/ H.Philpott
Monday, June 20, 2005
With canary yellow and green flags adorning their shoulders, straw
hats sporting the name of a famous home-grown beer on their heads
and the distinct lilt accompanying shouts of 'come on Scotty',
there was no mistaking the Australian fans on Court 3 this afternoon.
They were out in force to support fellow compatriot Scott Draper
who has hinted that 2005 could be his last year on the tour. And
the likeable Aussie certainly needed the support.
The 31-year-old Queenslander is prone to injury, having missed last
year's Championships due to knee problems. Add to the equation his
limited playing schedule, he also juggles a career as a professional
golfer which slashes the number of hours he spends on court, and it
was clear he would have his work cut out.
To make matters worse he was facing 24-year-old opponent Nikolay
Davydenko. The Russian No.8 seed is arguably playing some of the best
tennis of his life, having reached the semi-finals of Roland Garros
and lifting his fifth career title at St Poelten.
Davydenko wasted no time in making his mark on the match - racing to
a 4-2 lead by firing off crisp, clean winners all over the court. But
the first-set score-line stoked up Draper's supporters and the
Australian broke back immediately, forcing Davydenko to a tie-break.
But double faults on crucial points told of Draper's lack of practice
and the Russian soon picked off the first and second set.
At the start of the third, the Australian had his left leg heavily
re-strapped but it did not help matters, with Davydenko's acute angles
too much to handle. The No.8 seed walked away with his first straight
set Wimbledon single's win 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 6-3, adding yet another
first to his set of ever-improving results.
Written by Helen Gilbert
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/reports/2005-06-20/200506201119285473320.h
tml
--
http://0rz.net/5e0p9 Marion Raven (M2M)
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 218.160.181.247