TENNIS in DEPTH.

Nikolay Davydenko survived a scare against Fernando Verdasco before finally reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

The Russian has looked in imperious form in the early rounds in Melbourne and seemed on course for another comfortable win as he went two sets up against the Spaniard.

However, Verdasco came storming back to take the match into a deciding fifth set – before Davydenko managed to finally see out the win 6-2 7-5 4-6 6-7 (5/7) 6-3.

“I’m really tired,” said the sixth seed after his victory. “It was difficult to play against him because all match, he was serving fast, playing fast.

“He’s strong physically, but not mentally. I knew he would have power in the fifth set, but he can make mistakes.”

Next up for Davydenko will be world number one Roger Federer – a player he has beaten in their last two meetings, including earlier this month in Doha.

Davydenko believes he has the mentality to deal with the Swiss legend.

“I believe I am still strong mentally,” he said. “I don’t know if I can win here, but I’m feeling good.”

The Russian will have to improve upon a nervy display against Verdasco if he is to lift the trophy next weekend.

The sixth seed is now unbeaten in 13 matches but he struggled to close out the match despite playing the better tennis in the fourth set.

Verdasco committed 21 unforced errors in the set – he would finish with 81 in total – but still claimed it, coming from a mini-break down in the tie-break to level the match.

Davydenko’s shots had become tentative and as the decider began it was Verdasco – a semi-finalist in Melbourne 12 months ago – who looked the more likely winner.

However, to his credit, Davydenko refocused and gained the decisive break in the sixth game of the final set before serving out for a quarter-final berth.

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