Djokovic slays Davydenko to win Masters

SHANGHAI: World number three Novak Djokovic thrashed Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko 6-1, 7-5 in the Masters Cup final yesterday to lift his second major trophy this year.

The Australian Open champion fizzed through most of the match in front of a packed Qi Zhong Stadium and snuffed out a late revival as he ended a six-month title drought at the lucrative season finale.

Leap of joy: Novak Djokovic jumping in celebration after beating Nikolay Davydenko to win the Masters Cup in Shanghai yesterday. — AP

The 21-year-old Djokovic, who becomes the first Serbian year-end champion and takes home US1.24mil in prize money, also moves to within just 10 points of Roger Federer’s second rankings spot.

“I certainly put it at the level of the Grand Slams. “It’s a great achievement for me, I’m so happy,” Djokovic, nicknamed ‘The Joker’ said.

With defending champion Federer knocked out and top-ranked Rafael Nadal injured, it was up to Djokovic to add a dash of class to the final and he duly delivered in a clinical first set.

The 21-year-old Serb was immediately spraying backhands past Davydenko and he broke at the first attempt when the Russian netted. Davydenko was in deep trouble when he mishit a backhand to go 4-0 down.

Djokovic lifted a perfect lob over Davydenko, who managed just six points in the first five games before finally holding serve 5-1. The Serb briefly wobbled as he served for the set, saving two break points before going ahead after just 32 minutes.

The fifth-ranked Davydenko unfroze at the start of the second set and he won a peach of a point with a savage approach shot and tightly angled backhand volley.

But the Russian’s shoulders slumped again as he hit an easy smash wide and was broken again as the backhand volley failed him.

He saved two match points on his serve and then, as Djokovic served for the match, broke for the first time in a sudden resurgence.

However, Djokovic broke back for 6-5 and made no mistake at his second attempt to serve it out, sinking to his knees as Davydenko netted a return at 40-0.

Djokovic had already beaten Davydenko in the group stage here along with Juan Martin del Potro and downed Gilles Simon in the semi-finals. He lost all three group matches on his debut last year.

The two had only met once before this tournament, when Djokovic retired from their Davis Cup match in February with dizziness and exhaustion. — AFP