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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 5:55 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008

Tennis: Davydenko wins title in Austria

POERTSCHACH, Austria —Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko overcame a thigh injury to beat defending champion Juan Monaco 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 today and win the Hypo Group International for a third time.

This was Davydenko's 13th ATP Tour title and second of the season after winning the Masters Series event in Miami last month. The fourth-ranked Russian also won this tournament, a clay-court tuneup for the French Open, in 2005 and 2006.

Davydenko broke serve in the opening game and Monaco looked vulnerable from the baseline during the first set. The second-seeded Argentine needed treatment for a blister on the middle finger of his right hand.

Davydenko added another break to close the set, and then was treated for an injured left thigh. In the second set, Davydenko appeared hampered by his injury and Monaco found his rhythm, using three breaks to even the match.

Davydenko raised his game in the third set and dominated from the baseline. He wrapped up victory with a backhand winner on his second match point.