Rafael Nadal crashes out of ATP finals

Spaniard crashes to second successive defeat in London

Rafael Nadal crashes out of ATP finals

Spaniard crashes to second successive defeat in London

A disappointed Rafael Nadal after crashing out of the ATP Tour Finals in London yesterday
PIC/GETTY IMAGES

The Russian won 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) in an hour and 47 minutes at London's O2 Arena to send the Spanish world number two tumbling out of the season-ending championships at the group stage.

Davydenko's powerful, accurate ground strokes tore Nadal's game apart in the opening set, and though the Australian Open champion recovered some form in the 80-minute second set, it was too late to stop the world number seven from claiming victory.

Nadal went into the match with a 4-3 lead over Davydenko, though the Russian had won their previous three meetings on hard courts like the O2 Arena - including a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win in the Shanghai final last month.

The first set saw Nadal's game destroyed by his opponent, who dominated the play with his impressive shot-making, sending the left-hander scampering round the court.

Nadal, 23, won the toss, chose to receive and was swiftly 3-0 down.

Davydenko, 28, kicked off the match with an ace and took the first game, then converted a break point on Nadal's serve when the Spaniard misfired.

Davydenko then held serve before Nadal won the fourth game to love.

After the Russian held serve, he broke Nadal to love as the Mallorcan's serve crumbled.

Davydenko held three set points and sealed it with an ace to wrap up the first set in 27 minutes.

Nadal was break point down in the first game of the second set but recovered to win it on the deuce.

Davydenko held serve and held break point again on Nadal's serve but the Spaniard finally won the game thanks to a rare Davydenko error.

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