Nikolay Davydenko brought Andy Roddick back down to earth as he produced his very best tennis to send the American packing, 7-6(5) 6-2 in 87 minutes.

The fact that the Russian was 0-5 in head-to-head encounters meant that not too many people had stopped to consider that perhaps an upset could be on the cards. Look what happened to Roger Federer.

Being seeded higher than the American due to his superior ranking did nothing to dent the expectations of a Roddick v Rafael Nadal final.

From the get-go, Davydenko was in no-nonsense mode as his telling shots off the ground ran Roddick ragged from side to side. The Russian looking fleet of foot was like a terrier on court and had the American in trouble serving at 5-5 and 0-30.  With some big first serves Roddick dug himself out of a hole and the tiebreaker followed.

Roddick took an early lead at 3-1, but Davydenko fought his way back into contention with some brilliant baseline play and earned himself 2 set points at 6-4 with a lucky let cord winner. He took the set on the second set point when he drilled a forehand drive crosscourt almost out of Roddick's reach; the American at full stretch was unable to retrieve the ball back into court.

Roddick's serve in the second set lacked the ferocity of earlier on, and the Russian was able to get most of the balls into play.

Roddick broke to love for 2-1, but the Russian immediately broke back and from there the American really began to struggle as Davydenko's searing ground strokes began to really punish him.

A break in the sixth game ensued when Davydenko in top gear rifled a glorious passing shot out of the reach of the bewildered American.

With Roddick serving at 2-5, Daydenko broke again to seal victory on his second match point when the American netted his forehand.

"I was really surprised I played very well from the baseline", Davydenko said. "First set I had no chance to return and I felt if he break me once that would be it. So to win it was very important. Second set he started to slow his serve, more topspin and so I could get more balls back."

Looking ahead to the match against Nadal, Davydenko is expecting a very physical match.

"Physically he is so fit. Last time I played him for 3 hours in Rome and he was running, fighting. I don't know what I have to do. Perhaps I need to ask (Novak) Djokovic what he did to beat him in Indian Wells. I will concentrate before the match and try my best."

A disappointed Roddick felt that his transition game which was perfect against Roger Federer yesterday let him down.

"Once he got into the rallies he was very good", Roddick said. "He was great driving the ball into the corners. Felt I was there and hit the ball well. My transition game wasn't there tonight, didn't feel like I had enough on my approach shots. It was flawless against Federer."

Andre Jones

Crandon Park

Key Biscayne

Miami