Roger Wins 54th ATP Tour Title and First Clay Court Title of 2008!!!

I watched the live feed of the Estoril Open men’s final between Roger Federer and Nikolay Davydenko. Roger and Nikolay are the only top ten players competing in Estoril this week. Lisbon looks like a beautiful city I might visit Lisbon in the future! In the first set Roger had a few break point opportunities on Davydenko’s serve but blew it.  Davydenko had a break point leading 4-3 for a 5-3 lead but Roger saved the break point with an ace. Next, Davydenko gained a set point at 5-4 on Roger’s serve and Roger rises to the challenge hitting an ace. Roger holds for 5-5 but after Davydenko reached 6-5 in the first set he had another set point on Roger’s serve and choked an easy forehand. In the tiebreaker Roger zoomed to a 5-1 lead only to watch Davydenko claw back to 5-5 in the first set tiebreaker.

Roger hits a fantastic forehand and Davydenko blows an easy shot to lose the first set. Next, Davydenko takes a break to be looked at by the trainer. At the end of the first set from 5-4 on I felt Roger played like the Roger I remember the incredible tennis champion that has nerves of steel under pressure. Davydenko had plenty of chances to win the first set yet he capitulated under the pressure. I really thought that Davydenko should of won the first set he was playing better then Roger for most of the first set. However, Roger demonstrated at the end of the first set why he is the best. Davydenko didn’t believe he could beat Roger I could see the fear in his eyes. Even though Davydenko just destroyed Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal at the Miami Masters last week he still fears Roger Federer.

In the second set despite leading 2-1 Davydenko retires! I cannot believe it! I am really surprised that Davydenko would pull out of a high profile match like this. Well, a win is a win and Roger wins the match defeating Davydenko 7-6 1-2 ret. Roger wins his 54th ATP Tour title. Roger really needed this title to stop the bleeding he’s lost a ton of confidence this year but he now has another clay court title. The title is very important his first clay court victory besides the Hamburg Masters Event. It would of been very embarrassing for Roger not to win the Estoril Open because he is the world number one player. Of course, since I am a big fan of Roger I wanted him to complete the match and get the win on regular terms.

However, a win, is a win, is a win. I think Roger will feel satisfied that he at least won an ATP Tour title this year on clay. Clay is also Roger’s worst surface but he competed well. I will admit I didn’t think Roger played his best tennis though. I am surprised at Nikolay Davydenko he retired I thought he had wrested with his demons of choking and not believing in himself. Would Davydenko retire against anyone else on the ATP Tour? I am a bit disappointed in Nikolay today it appears he just gave up even though he was in the lead in the second set. Also, the match is an ATP Tour final will Nikolay pull out of Monte Carlo next week he really let Roger off the hook in this match.