Fate might have played a part in Nikolay Davydenko taking the next step on his comeback during the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.
Some of Davydenko’s most impressive results have been accomplished in Qatar – he won three of four matches against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in capturing the 2010 event and finishing second in 2011.
Davydenko struggled with injuries the last two years, but has displayed his resiliency in reaching the semifinals against to-seeded David Ferrer in the $1 million event.
Davydenko took a 6-1, 6-1 win over Simone Bolelli in the quarterfinals.
In 2010, Davydenko won the tournament, edging Federer 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals and rallying past Nadal 0-6, 7-6, 6-4 in the final. Davydenko broke his left wrist soon after, starting a run of injuries which contributed to his demise.
In 2011, Davydenko again defeated Nadal, this time in the semifinals, but lost 3-6, 4-6 to Federer in the finals.
Ferrer defeated Paolo Lorenzi 6-3, 6-0 in the quarterfinals.
The only other remaining seed is No. 2 Richard Gasquet, who defeated Daniel Brands earlier today and advanced to the Finals. Gasquet defeated Lukas Lasko 6-3, 6-1 and Brands knocked out Gael Monfils 6-1, 7-5 in the quarterfinals.