Analysis for Davydenko-Korolev (Wimbledon)

Head-to-head record 0:1 - Our opinion on Davydenko´s ability to play on grass is already well known. We´ll briefly repeat what was written in our previous analyses. His career record on grass is 2–12 and it´s not just a coincidence. He´ll hardly trot out with something else than he showed in Halle. He hasn’t been given as big talent as other top players but he has got big tennis heart and incredible fighting spirit. On the other hand, he lacks weapons for fast surfaces. His serve is far from being world-class and he is a defensive-minded player as his main weapon is movement on the baseline. We´ll summarize his up-to-now grass record:

11.6.01 Knippschield-Davydenko 6:4,6:2 (London)

24.6.02 Kratochvil-Davydenko 6:4,6:2,6:4 (Wimbledon)

9.6.03 F.Lopez-Davydenko 7:6,6:3 (Halle)

23.06.03 Childs-Davydenko 2:6,7:6,1:6,7:6,6:2 (Wimbledon)

8.6.04 Seppi-Davydenko 7:6,2:6,6:3 (Halle)

15.6.04 Canas-Davydenko 6:4,6:4 (Hertogenbosh)

22.6.04 Verkerk-Davydenko 4:6,6:4,6:3,7:5 (Wimbledon)

20.6.05 Davydenko-Draper 7:6,6:4,6:3 (Wimbledon)

22.06.05 Bjorkman-Davydenko 6:7,1:2 ret (Wimbledon)

14.6.06 Wang-Davydenko 2:6,6:3,6:1 (London)

20.6.06 Kohlshchreiber-Davydenko 6:2,6:4 (Hertogenbosh)

27.06.06 Falla-Davydenko 2:6,7:6,7:6,6:3 (Wimbledon)

12.6.07 Davydenko-Melzer 7:6,4:6,6:2 (Halle)

14.6.07 Mayer-Davydenko 6:4,6:4 (Halle)

His country mate Korolev is a very talented player with aggressive style of play. 19 years old Russian prefers fast surfaces. He has got a decent serve and doesn’t like too long relies and spreading the ball from side to side. He tries to finish the balls as quick as possible and his style should be suited to grass. He defeated Wawrinka in Halle´s first round 2 weeks ago to be beaten by Blake in the 2.round. He is still inexperienced but his talent and self-confidence could give him a pretty good chance against Russian no.1. Davydenko is a slight favourite but Korolev odds at this level should be worth taking.