Davydenko wins Doha, beats Federer and Nadal again

World #6 Nikolay Davydenko must now be considered as one of the favorites heading into this year's Australian Open. At the ExxonMobil Open in Doha, Qatar, the third-seeded Russian beat world #2 Rafael Nadal in the final after recovering from a bagel first set and saving two match points to record a 0-6, 7-6(8), 6-4 victory. In winning his 20th ATP title, Davydenko also beat world #1 Roger Federer in the semifinals in straight sets. He has now recorded a rare feat - beating both Nadal and Federer in 2 consecutive tournaments - he also beat both players in the 2009 season ender Barclays ATP World Tour finals in London. The only other player to have achieved such a feat is David Nalbandian who beat Federer and Nadal at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments in Madrid and Paris in 2007.

With the win, Davydenko earned 250 ATP Ranking points and $185,850, while runner-up Nadal earned 150 ATP Ranking points and $97,350 in prize money. Davydenko also improved his record to 20 wins against 5 losses in tour finals. He joins Federer, Nadal, Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt as the only active players to have won at least 20 ATP titles. He has won his last six ATP tour finals with his last defeat coming at the 2008 Tennis Masters Cup in Shangai against Serb Novak Djokovic.

Davydenko now heads into the Australian Open with 9 straight match wins that includes wins against Federer, Nadal, and Juan Martin del Potro - the three players who have won the last 7 grand slams dating back to the 2008 French Open. Davydenko is currently listed amongst the top 6 men's players with the best odds of winning the Australian Open. I'd put him in the top 3.