Monday, 14 April, 2008

World number two Rafael Nadal admitted he had no answer to Nikolay Davydenko's aggression in Sunday's Masters Series final.

The fourth-seeded Russian produced some scintillating tennis to coast to a 6-4 6-2 victory in just 82 minutes, dispatching Nadal, who had also been in impressive form in earlier rounds, with ease.

"I congratulate him because he played better than me," said the 21-year-old Spaniard. "He played more aggressively and positively with forehands, backhand volleys and drop shots. He's playing unbelievable tennis."

He added: "People like to write more about Roger (Federer), about me, about Andy (Roddick) but we know he's a very, very good player.

"I didn't play my best. He played well and I lost. When you don't play at 100% at this level against top players it's tough to win, especially on a hard surface."

Davydenko, 26, ripped a cross-court winner on his second match point to clinch the title, which adds to his 2006 win at the Paris Masters Series.

Having come into the match the underdog, the Russian said he produced his best performance of the season to sink Nadal for the first time in his career and leave the Spaniard without a tournament win since July 2007.

"Second time winning the Master Series, it's like something important for me," Davydenko said.

"Maybe I feel more confident because I beat very good guys here.

"My tennis was so good today. I think it's my best tennis of the hard court season. Here Nadal was the favourite and also in the semi-final Roddick was the favourite. Just to beat these two guys in two sets is amazing for me. It's good I won here and we'll see how well I can prepare for the clay court season."

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