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A GRAND ACHIEVEMENT.....!

NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO becomes the first Russian in the 39 year history of the year-end championship to win the title

Davydenko defied a spirited performance from the Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro to grab two decisive breaks in each set to win the 6-3, 6-4 match.

Davydenko's phenomenal shotmaking in the opening two points gets him a 0-30 opportunity in the ninth game of the set. Another beautifully angled pass gives Davydenko three virtual match points, which he duly converts to now serve for the CHAMPIONSHIP....!

Del Potro's impatience in long rallies gives Davydenko a favourable set up in lengthy points as one after the other, the Russian extracts errors off Del Potro to manage a comfortable service hold.

Del Potro looked in supreme control during the whole match and registered his third win of the year over the Spaniard Rafael Nadal at this U.S Open semifinals.

Del Potro refuses to let the failure of break point conversion haunt him further in the match and grabs a quick service hold to stay up in the second set by 4-3.

Davydenko's confidence at the net sees him prevail in key points once again. Though continued resistance from Del Potro's dangerous forehand keeps the Russian on the toes. Down 30-40, Davydenko thwacks a beautiful ace but misses the next point tamely to give Del Potro the second break point of the game. But "What Nurtures you sometimes destroys you too", as two forehand ERRORS from the Argentine get the Russian through safely.

Errors start creeping in from Del Potro's racquet who hits a loose forehand at 30-30 to give Davydenko a chance, but comes up with greater conviction in his serve to force a deuce in the game. One more forehand error gives the Russian a second chance, but Del Potro's resistance through big serves helps him come through safely.

Davydenko's biggest win of the year was the final of the 2009 Shanghai Masters, where he beat none other than Rafael nadal in straight sets to clinch the winner's trophy.

The game sees a serious dip in the duration of rallies as both players start pushing their serving capabilities to win quick games on serve.

Del Potro makes no mistakes this time and wins the game with his killer forehand and well placed serves to stay ahead 2-1 in the second set.

Del Potro is considered one of the best strikers in the game, and he takes that title very seriously, as it showed in a marvellous 90 mph forehand crosscourt winner. Davydenko, however, seemed unaffected by the Argentine's strength and pocketed the service hold calmly.

Earlier in a absolute thriller this year Del Potro stunned Rafael Nadal in Miami Quarterfinals and stopped his winning march towards the Sony Ericsson Open title. 

Del Potro puts aside the bad memories of the first set and makes a fresh start to the match with a quick service hold. Davydenko though does make his point early on with a delightful backhand pass.

DAVYDENKO moves CLOSER to the TITLE....!

After 38 minutes of jaw-dropping tennis, Russian Nikolay Davydenko pockets the opening set 6-3. Davydenko grabbed the decisive break in the third game and maintained the lead with the 12 winners to move closer to winning the 2009 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

Davydenko gets a huge roar from the crowd after winning the opening point on Del Potro's serve, but the Argentine comes up with a couple of big serves to the rescue and holds an important service game. Davydenko to now serve for the opening set.

Del Potro starts putting pressure on the Russian with his deep service returns, but Davydenko comes up with some astonishing serves, coupled with on the line forehand winners to deny the Argentine any scope of a comeback.

Davydenko does try to mix a couple of vollies to his play for another break. However, Del Potro closes the doors this time for a confident hold.

Juan Martin del Potro stunned five time defending champion Roger Federer to win this years U.S Open title. It was Argentine's first career grand slam triumph.

Davydenko takes full advantage of the early break to build an impressive 4-1 lead in the set. Del Potro, disturbed with the previous foot fault, gives away an easy game.

In the first semifinal, Russian Nikolay Davydenko registered his first victory over Federer in as many as 13 attempts to reach the final here.

Both players test each other to limits at 15-15 when a gruelling reflex volley exchange favours Davydenko in the end. At deuce, Del Potro hits a loose forehand over the line to give Davydenko a break point but saves it with a 'GRUNT AND A WINNING FOREHAND'. Another mistake gives Davydenko the golden break and a 3-1 lead.

Davydenko emerges as the stronger of the two players and pockets his second love service game of the match. Davydenko seems to be trying to come to the net more often in an attempt to finish the points firmly.

Del Potro defied a spirited performance from the Swede Robin Soderling by winning the see-saw semifinal battle to secure his place in the year-end final.

Del Potro gives an equally good response to his Russian opponent and grabs a quick service game of his own in the title match.

Davydenko makes a solid start to the ch'ship match with a love service game. Davydenko, runner up at last year's championship, is in astonishing form.

2009 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals
Nikolay Davydenko vs. Juan Martin Del  Potro
Head-to-Head
Davydenko leads series 2-1
Last Meeting - 2008 Tennis Masters Cup RR
Davydenko won 6-3, 6-2

Current U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro made the semifinal cut with his impressive win over world number one Roger Federer in three closely contested sets. His opponent in the final is the man who has atleast one thing in common with him, wins over Federer and Soderling. Nikolay Davydenko showed remarkable improvement in his game post his opening RR match debacle against Djokovic. His straight sets win over Rafael Nadal brought the best out of him. The Russian's strongest ally is his shotmaking brilliance and the ability to find astonishing angles in long rallies.

It is hard to predict the winner as both players depend largely on their groundstrokes to win the points, however, Del potro's gutsy play and youthful exuberance makes him the favourite to win the title.