Estoril Open 2006 News and Events

Nikolay Davydenko
© Wire Image

Second-seeded Nikolay Davydenko knocked out 2004 runner-up Marat Safin in the second round of the Estoril Open gaining revenge for two previous defeats in 2006.

Davydenko scored a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over his Russian compatriot in one hour and 49 minutes on a packed Court Central.

Safin had enjoyed two victories over Davydenko, currently ranked No. 6 in the INDESIT ATP Rankings.

At the Estadio Nacional, Davydenko proved he had done his homework.

Despite a first set wobble, Davydenko helped to erase memories of defeats to Safin at Dubai and ATP Masters Series Indian Wells earlier in the season.

Davydenko, the 24-year-old winner in 2003, will play Gilles Muller. The Luxembourg player beat Nicolas Lapentti 6-1, 6-4 in the evening match.

Just as one charismatic player exited, two seeds followed suit.

Fourth-seeded Gael Monfils and dual Olympic champion Nicolas Massu, the No. 7 seed, also exited.

Albert Portas, who was winless at ATP-level until reaching the Barcelona third round last week, overcame 19-year-old Monfils 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 for a place in the quarterfinals.

There the Spaniard will meet Justin Gimelstob, who was a 2-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 winner over Nicolas Massu of Chile.

The result means Gimelstob will play in his first ATP-level quarterfinal, since losing to Tomas Zib in Chennai in January 2005.

You have to go back to Coral Springs, Florida, in 1998, when Gimelstob last reached a red clay semifinal (l. Ilie).

Gimelstob will play in his first career European ATP quarterfinal on Friday.