Finals day at Estoril

Roger Federer has defeated Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 1-2 (Davydnko retired hurt).

The match looked to be producing the blockbuster finish to an exciting weeks tennis, but Davydenko was struck down untimely with a strain in his left leg at the end of the first set. The Russian tried to continue playing, and even managed to break Federer, but then decided that the pain was not worth the gain.

Whilst this is a relatively small title, it will mean a lot more to Federer, seeing as it his first of a troubled year so far. He did not play anywhere near his best tennis, but in truth never looked in any real danger of losing in Estoril.

In winning his 54th ATP title, Federer extended his record to 12-0 over his Russian counterpart, and should solidfy his slightly shaky grasp on the world No.1 spot.

In the doubles final, Brit Jamie Murray and Zimbabwean Kevin Ullyett went down fighting to top seedsWesley Moodie and Jeff Coetzee 6-2 4-6 10-8. The South African pair exploited Ullyett’s serve, breaking it twice in the first set to take it easily. However Murray and Ullyett fought back in the second, breaking Coetzee’s serve at 4-3 and forcing the match into a nailbiting champions tie break. But it was Coetzee’s quick reflexes which would seal the win, some excellent net play at 8-8 was truly gutsy.

It’s back to regular partner Max Mirnyi for Murray at the Monte Carlo Masters Series, where he will be hoping to add to his already impressive record this season.

Estoril Open Update

It is semi-final time here at the Estoril Open,after Roger Federer eased past local favourite Frederico Gil 6-4 6-1.

Portugese wild-card Gil has had an excellent week, but Federer was simply too good for the world No. 146, and apart from the two rain delays, it was a comfortable victory for the Swiss.

He now goes on to play German Denis Gremelmayr, who has reached his first ever ATP semi final with a hard fought victory over Jiri Vanek (6-2 3-6 6-2)

In the other half of the draw, second seed and world No.4 Nikolay Davydenko extended his winning streak to ten matches, with a gutsy win over Marc Gicquel of France. Davdydenko was runner up here in 2006, and was victorious in 2003, so he knows the courts well. Next up for him is another Frenchman, Florent Serra, who defeated Flavio Cippola easily 6-1 6-1.

In the doubles it is good news for Britain, as Jamie Murray made it through to the final with new partner Kevin Ullyett. The number two seeds recovered from a set down to defeat third seeds Frantisek Cermak and Jordan Kerr 3-6, 6-4, 10-6. Murray is up to a career best ranking of 34, and will be looking to improve on that when he and Ullyett face top seeds Jeff Coetzee and Wesley Moodie in the final.