Davydenko opens with win
Date published :
30 Aug 2010 - 21:30:30
Sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko began his bid for a first Grand Slam title with an easy victory in the first round of the US Open.
Davydenko beat American Michael Russell 6-4 6-1 6-3 to set up a second round clash with France's Richard Gasquet, who enjoyed a similarly comfortable victory, beating Germany's Simon Greul 6-3 6-4 6-2.
The 29-year-old Russian missed 11 weeks of the season after breaking his left wrist in March and since then he has won back to back matches just once, reaching the quarter-finals in Cincinnati recently before losing to Roger Federer.
"For sure I will try always to play 100%, but you don't know what's going to happen," Davydenko said.
"Five-set matches are really difficult, for sure. For sure I am a little bit tired but not like 100% tired.
"I really don't know if my physical condition is good for five sets. I need to see.
"I never say before or after my first match I am in very good shape and I can win the tournament. I just take it easy and just say, I'm okay."
Asked what is the most difficult thing to rediscover after such a long injury lay-off, Davydenko added: "Head; mental problem.
"You are always practising. You can play forehand, backhand, but for sure it's important in the match what you need to do with forehand and backhand."
Croatia's Marin Cilic, the 11th seed, also advanced with a 7-5 6-3 6-1 win over Illya Marchenko, while Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain, the 22nd seed, thrashed Martin Klizan of Slovakia for the loss of just four games.
