Doha delight for Davydenko
In-form Nikolay Davydenko bounced back after to defeat Rafael Nadal 0-6 7-6 (10/ 6-4 in a thrilling Qatar Open final in Doha.
The Russian had beaten world number one Roger Federer to reach the final and added the scalp of the second-seeded Spaniard as he claimed another title to follow his victory at the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London in November.
But there appeared little prospect of such a result when Nadal converted three of four break opportunities and won 72% of the points in a one-sided first set.
Davydenko had won just one point on the Nadal serve in the opener, but the 28-year-old responded well in a hard-fought second set, which went the distance after one service break apiece.
A drawn-out tie-break was finally shaded 10/8 by Davydenko, extending the match into a final set.
Nadal hit back and led by a break but again the world number six found more in the tank, saving two match points and getting back on level terms.
And a second break secured him victory in two hours 43 minutes and also the title, 250 ranking points and US dollars 185,850 (£116,000).
Having also beaten the world's top two in London, he became only the second man - after Argentina's David Nalbandian in 2007 - to twice beat them both in the same tournament.
Doha delight for Davydenko
6-4 in a thrilling Qatar Open final in Doha.
In-form Nikolay Davydenko bounced back after to defeat Rafael Nadal 0-6 7-6 (10/
The Russian had beaten world number one Roger Federer to reach the final and added the scalp of the second-seeded Spaniard as he claimed another title to follow his victory at the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London in November.
But there appeared little prospect of such a result when Nadal converted three of four break opportunities and won 72% of the points in a one-sided first set.
Davydenko had won just one point on the Nadal serve in the opener, but the 28-year-old responded well in a hard-fought second set, which went the distance after one service break apiece.
A drawn-out tie-break was finally shaded 10/8 by Davydenko, extending the match into a final set.
Nadal hit back and led by a break but again the world number six found more in the tank, saving two match points and getting back on level terms.
And a second break secured him victory in two hours 43 minutes and also the title, 250 ranking points and US dollars 185,850 (£116,000).
Having also beaten the world's top two in London, he became only the second man - after Argentina's David Nalbandian in 2007 - to twice beat them both in the same tournament.