Tennis
I'm no Paris Hilton, says low-key Russian Davydenko
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-20 09:52
 |
Large Medium Small |
MELBOURNE: A lesson for Melbourne locals: the little balding bloke sitting in the corner having dinner may be Nikolay Davydenko. Or it may not be.
That's precisely the level of anonymity the Russian dark horse for this year's Australian Open wants. "I am not Paris Hilton," the world No 6 said after he dismantled German qualifier Dieter Kindlmann 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 in the Australian Open first round yesterday.
| ||||
"For me, better go downstairs take breakfast, or go somewhere for dinner - not to be so much famous."
Davydenko, who admitted he is not even widely recognized in his homeland - "really big country" - is the form player of the past six months.
He finished 2009 on a massive high after beating Federer, Nadal and US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro to win the ATP Tour Finals in London.
The win in the season-ending shootout has not changed his career much though the prize money more than covered a two-week diving holiday in the Maldives with his wife afterwards.
The break did Davydenko some good.
He is undefeated this year and beat Federer and Nadal again to win a lead-up tournament in Doha and the sixth seed said his game has reached a new level.
His new-found confidence at the net combined with his speed around the court has created a very dangerous player.
After losing to Davydenko in London, Del Potro told him it was like playing against a Playstation character.
"I want to be fast. I want to be running fast," Davydenko said. "Del Potro told me now I am like PlayStation 3. Everybody is thinking I am very fast on the court."
Reuters
