Davydenko makes semis after win in all-Russian clash

Nikolay Davydenko struggled for nearly three hours to finally subdue fellow Russian Igor Andreev, posting a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 win into the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday.

The first major event of the clay season has strictly followed the formbook, with the top six seeds through to the quarters for the first time at the Masters level since 1999 in Cincinnati.

Davydenko, seeded fourth and a finalist last weekend in Estoril against Roger Federer, becomes the first Russian to reach the Monte Carlo last eight since Marat Safin in 2004.

Davydenko didn’t make things easy on himself in the error-strewn struggle, committing 61 unforced errors.

The Russian produced 23 winners and converted on nine of his 19 break point chances against Andreev, playing the quarters in the principality for the first time.

Roger Federer got back into his old routine with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Gael Monfils to reach the quarter-finals on Thursday.

The Swiss top seed, who was two points from an embarrassing defeat against Spanish qualifier Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo on Wednesday, sealed a straightforward victory in 71 minutes.

Third seed Novak Djokovic ended Andy Murray’s hopes with a 6-0, 6-4 thrashing of the Briton while Sam Querrey beat Richard Gasquet 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Federer was happy with his performance, a day after feeling the heat against the world’s No. 137.

“I think it definitely was a good, tough match from my side. I think Gael is a good player,” Federer said.

“You know, up and coming. I think he gives you a chance to play aggressive because he doesn’t like to do the game himself,” he said. “It allows you to potentially make a lot of mistakes.”

Murray, seeded 14th, was nowhere to be seen in the first set but fought back in the second, only to serve successive double faults in the last game.

“The second set was obviously a bit better. I had quite a few chances but I probably hit about three or four winners and about 25, 30 unforced errors so it’s not good enough against a player like Novak,” the Scot said.