Live Commentary

So NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO finally ends the title drought with a victory at the 2009 International German Open, an ATP World Tour 500 event. In a match that saw several trades of service breaks, the Russian registered the 6-4, 6-2 win in almost 90 minutes of play against Frenchman Paul-henri Mathieu

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Davydenko sees the opportunity at 0-30, thanks to a couple of unforced errors from the Frenchman and another backhand error gets the Russian in a comfortable position. As the game ends with an unfortunate double fault, Davydenko finds himself ready to serve for the match.

Mathieu makes a gutsy attempt to comeback into the match with some powerplay at the net, and continues to capitalise on his new found strength, the ability to win points at the net to get one of the breaks back.

Davydenko looked pretty sharp in his straight sets demolition of Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in a round of 16 match

Davydenko looks like a totally transformed man as compared to his previous matches here, where he struggled with his groundstrokes, as today he is in mood to completely dictate the points with his power and precision. With a double break now, Davydenko's win seems pretty certain.

An array of errors from Davydenko get Mathieu double break points, but the Russian brings out big serves at key moments to avoid any trade of breaks and stay ahead in the set 3-1.

Mathieu tries some defensive shots to start the service game and a couple of good serves get him a game point. Although Davydenko utilises the strength of his angled backhand again to force a deuce and after a service and a backhand error from the Frenchman, Davydenko successfully breaks Mathieu with his key to success, the BACKHAND...!

Capitalising on Davydenko errors, Mathieu races to a 15-40 double break point opportunity, but two solid serves witness the Russian bounce back, followed by a 204 kmph ace and an up the line forehand winner.

Davydenko gives stiff competition to Mathieu in the very first game of the second set, hoping to snatch an early break away, but the Frenchman serves his way out of this tricky situation to avoid any further damage.

Davydenko registered a brilliant three set win over Victor Hanescu to reach the semifinals here and with such a steely performance he became an overnight favourite.

So in a 41 minute opening set that saw a trade of service breaks and a flurry of unforced errors from the Frenchman, Davydenko won it 6-4 to take a headstart into the final.

Davydenko starts the game with a massive backhand down the line winner, and after a couple of unforced errors from Mathieu, hits a gigantic backhand winner to seal the opening set 6-4. 

Mathieu makes an attempt to comeback into the set with an acute angled backhand winner, followed by gutsy serve and duly holds serve with the help of big serve and a thwacking put away.

After an erratic start in the service game, Davydenko dictates the points with his swashbuckling backhand and after a couple of free points from the Frenchman, the second seed races to a formidable 5-3 lead in the set.

Davydenko utilises his angled forehands in long rallies to get a 0-30 mini-break, and with a blistering backhand down the line, gets a triple break point. Although an ace and a couple of unforced errors from the Russian do give Mathieu a chance to get back in the game, back-toback errors rom the Frenchman cost his a service game.

Davydenko opens the game with a stunning forehand crosscourt winner, and follows with some sharp serves down the T, but Mathieu hits back with some big forehands up the line, although a couple of errors at the net from the Frenchman let Davydenko level the set.

Davydenko strikes right back and gets into the similar 0-40 situation with some angled backhands, and duly converts the opportunity with a break back to get back on serve.

After a shaky start with a double fault, followed by an overhit backhand, Davydenko gets the first scare as Mathieu blasts a big forehand down the line for triple break points, and wastes no time to convert them with another forehand winner to go up 3-1.

Mathieu picks up another strong service game with some deep serves and blistering forehands, not allowing Davydenko any chance to take control of the rallies.

Davydenko comes up with a strong ervice hold to keep his intentions clear about the final

Mathieu makes a strong start to the match with good defense from both corners and occasional brilliance in shotmaking off both flanks. Davydenko, on the other hand, lets his shots talk, as he makes an attempt to find his rhythm as soon as possible.

2009 International German Open, Men's Singlles Final

Nikolay Davydenko vs. Paul-henri Mathieu
Head-to-Head
Series tied at 3-3
Last Meeting - 2008 Beijing Olympics
Davydenko won 7-5, 6-3

Second seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko, who missed most of the action this year nursing an injury, is still searching for a title win. His emphatic wins over Jeremy Chardy and Victor Hanescu make him the favourite to win the title but in his way stands the mighty Paul-henri Mathieu, whose last two ATP World Tour titles came on clay in 2007, at Casablanca and Gstaad, will definitely be looking forward to remove Davydenko from his way to the trophy here in Hamburg. Stay with us as we bring you the point by point commentary of this entertaining final only on TennisEarth.com....!