World No. 5 Davydenko Advances to Third Round

6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (2). On paper, the score suggests a relatively routine victory for Nikolay Davydenko over Agustin Calleri. However, in a classic display of the mental toughness required to reach two straight US Open semifinals, the victory was anything but routine for Davydenko.

The first two sets were mirror images of each other. In both sets, the players traded punches until they reached 4-4. In the first set, serving at 4-4, Calleri became visibly upset over a serve that was called out. He was unable to regain his composure and was broken after a backhand unforced error sailed long. Davydenko easily held to close out the set.

In the second set, Calleri had two break chances at 3-2, but was unable to convert. At 4-4 and serving, Calleri hit a stretch backhand volley winner, which seemed to fire him up and get the crowd behind him. With shouts of “Vamos Agustin!” from the crowd, Calleri was unable to seize the moment and dumped an easy forehand into the net to give Davydenko the break. In the next game, Calleri saved two set points before losing the set.

The third set became a battle of the big Argentinian’s monstrous forehands versus the slimmer Russian’s consistency and speed. Davydenko broke in the first game off an backhand return winner and appeared to be cruising to an easy third set. Displaying some mental toughness of his own, Calleri broke right back to even the set at 1-1. The rest of the set was an entertaining show for the fans, as the two demonstrated an amazing array of power, speed and touch until they reached 6-6. In the tiebreak, Davydenko again exhibited why he is ranked fifth in the world closing out the set at 7-2.