Four-time Grand Slam semifinalist Nikolay Davydenko will face world No. 2 Rafael Nadal second round of the Madrid Open after defeating Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic on Sunday.
Davydenko, the world No. 56, prevailed 7-6 (6), 6-3 against world No. 61 Karlovic to extend his record against the tall Croatian to 6-1.
The Russian is one of very few players to have a winning record against Nadal, having bested the ten-time Grand Slam winner in six of their 10 meetings to date.
Nadal has reached the final on all three occasions since the Madrid Open changed to an outdoor clay competition, and won in 2010 with a straight-sets victory over Roger Federer. He also won the 2005 edition of the tournament on a hard surface, beating Ivan Ljubicic.
