Ferrer downs Davydenko

Nikolay Davydenko lost 2-6 6-2 6-4 to David Ferrer in the quarter-finals of the Capitala World Tennis Championship on Thursday.

Russian departs Abu Dhabi after losing four straight games in deciding set

Nikolay Davydenko ultimately proved unable to display the form he showed at the end of last season in Abu Dhabi's Capitala World Tennis Championship on Thursday, the Russian losing to David Ferrer at the quarter-final stage. Davydenko, who won the ATP Tour World Finals in London last month, threw away a one-set lead and also appeared poised to take the decider against his Spanish opponent. In the event, however, it was Ferrer who progressed 2-6 6-2 6-4, with the world number 17 now meeting compatriot Rafael Nadal in the last four. Ferrer, who only claimed a place in the exhibition event after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was forced to withdraw with a wrist injury, struggled in the opening set as Davydenko prevailed. But he hit back in impressive fashion as he broke his opponent's serve in the fifth game of the second set. Davydenko then looked well placed to secure victory after he survived three break points to take a 4-2 lead in the decider. But the world number six crumbled as he lost four straight games, and he was broken to love as Ferrer wrapped up the win.