Nikolay Davydenko

 
Nikolay Davydenko ( born June 2,
1981) is a Russian male tennis player. He
was born in Severodonezk, Ukraine and now lives in
Monte Carlo, Monaco.

In his career he has won 5 singles titles.

His best result in a Grand Slam tournament was his
semifinal at the 2005 French Open (lost to Mariano
Puerta in five sets).

==Tennis==
A pro since 1999, Nikolay first caught the public
eye when he took a set off Pat Rafter in the
second round at the Australian Open. He also won
his first ATP tour victory in Australia in 2003 in
Adelaide. In three years he has climbed out of
Marat Safin's shadow from 85th to 6th in the world
rankings. He is especially successful on clay. The
shy native of Severodonezk in the Ukraine now
looks to be a contender for the Masters Cup at
season's end. "I'm playing well at the moment but
I still have to go out and prove myself everyday.
I can still do better, my game is far from
perfect" he says.

At just 11 Nikolay left his parents Vladimir and
Tatjana behind to live with his elder brother
Edouard in Volgograd. At the time, Russia seemed
to offer more opportunities for a would-be tennis
pro, he explains to the hordes of journalists who
gathered after his quarter-final win in Paris. "I
stayed 4 years in Russia. Edouard worked as a
tennis coach for kids and we practiced together.
He pushed me pretty hard. At 15 we left for
Germany. A Russian who lived there convinced
Edouard it would be better for me. In Europe I
could play more tournaments than in Russia."

Although he would be 18 before he was granted
Russian citizenship, the now Monaco resident soon
defended his adopted country's colours in the
Davis Cup. After his 4th ATP tour win in Moscow in
2004 he was warmly congratulated by former
president and tennis aficionado Boris Yeltsin.

===Yearly Highlights===
2000-Captured first Futures title at Germany #3
and reached final following week at Germany #4.
In June, reached back-to-back Futures finals at
Germany #6 and #7 and made ATP debut in Amsterdam,
reaching SF (l. to Sluiter). Two weeks later,
reached back-to-back Challenger SF at Wrexham. In August, won first Challenger title
at Monchengladbach.

2001- Made Grand Slam debut at Australian Open,
defeating Fukarek in 1st RD before losing to
Rafter in four sets in 2nd RD. Missed six weeks
after injuring lower back and hip in 1st RD at
Dallas Challenger. Did not win a
match again until May in Antwerp Challenger (l. in
QF). Advanced to 2nd RD on Roland Garros debut
(d. Bjorkman, l. to Hewitt). Captured Challenger
titles in Ulm (d. Labadze) and Istanbul (d.
Saulnier). Finished season with QF in Basel.

2002- Won 12 ATP level matches and went 16-9 in
Challenger player. On clay in Bastad, defeated C.
Rochus and Gonzalez before losing to eventual
champion Moya. Captured fourth career Challenger
title in Szczecin (d. D. Sanchez). Finished
season with second ATP QF in Vienna.

2003- The No. 2 Russian (behind No. 41 Kafelnikov)
captured two ATP titles and finished in Top 50 for
first time in his career. Opened season with his
first career title in Adelaide (d. Vliegen) and
three months later began clay court circuit with
title in Estoril (d. Kafelnikov in QF, Mirnyi in
SF, Calleri in F). Followed with QF in Barcelona
(d. Nalbandian, l. to Moya) and in May advanced to
final in St. Poelten (d. Verkerk, l. to
Roddick). Compiled records of 19-15 on clay and
11-13 on hard.

2004- The No. 3 Russian (behind Safin, Youzhny)
compiled his best pro season by finishing in Top
30 for first time and capturing two ATP titles for
second straight year. After a 3-9 start through
mid-April, turned things around at ATP Masters
Series Monte Carlo where he reached QF (l. to
Moya) and began a 10-2 run. Followed with title
in Munich (d. No. 5 Schuettler in QF, Verkerk in
F) and 3rd RD at AMS Rome (d. Gonzalez, l. to
Spadea). In July, reached SF in Stuttgart (l. to
Canas) and one month later advanced to QF in Long
Island. In October, captured first career title
on Russian soil in Moscow by winning singles and
doubles titles (w/Andreev). Saved one match
point in SF win over Youzhny, then saved three
match points in final against Rusedski. Compiled
records of 19-12 on clay, 7-10 on hard, 7-4 on
carpet, 0-3 on grass. Earned a career-high
$651,372.