Agassi, Nadal withdraw from Shanghai Masters (AP) Updated: 2005-11-15 01:40
The loss to Davydenko extended his run in Shanghai to 0-4, including two
matches at the 2002 Tennis Masters Cup before he withdrew from that tournament
and a first-round loss at a tournament here in 2001.
The 35-year-old American started the match with his regular
hustle, losing only one point in his first three service games.
He had a break point chance in the sixth game but hit a forehand wide and
Davydenko held for 3-3. Agassi led 40-15 in the next game before dropping serve
when his 24-year-old Russian opponent produced three consecutive backhand
winners.
Davydenko needed three set points before closing with a booming first serve.
Agassi started the second set aggressively, winning his first seven points on
serve for a 2-1 lead before Davydenko went on a five-game roll.
Defending champion Federer was officially recognized as the winner of the
2005 ATP Champions Race before play on Monday. He had an unbeatable lead in the
season standings ahead of the Masters Cup.
"I haven't lost my No. 1 ranking this year so I will try to keep it up and
who knows, I could be standing here in 365 days' time," Federer said.
He won 11 titles, including Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, and had a 78-3
singles record coming into Shanghai, where he is aiming for a third consecutive
Masters Cup title.
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