NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO became the first Russian to win the Sony Ericsson Open men’s title when he finished off Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-2 in Sunday’s final in Key Biscayne, Florida, the United States.

In recent months, Davydenko has been best known for an ATP investigation into heavy wagering on a match he lost last August at an obscure tournament in Poland. He retired in the third set, citing a foot injury, and says he did nothing wrong.

He has accused the ATP of dragging out the investigation, but it proved not to be a distraction at Key Biscayne.

Davydenko broke at love to take the lead for good at 4-3 in the first set, and in the second set he lost only two of 19 points on his serve to pull away.

When the No. 4-seeded Davydenko belted one final forehand winner on championship point, he grinned and shook his fists, then punched the air. Davydenko overcame a match point in the second round against Ernests Gulbis and became the fourth ATP player in 2008 to win a title after facing match point.

“He’s playing unbelievable tennis,” the No. 2-seeded Nadal said. “People like to write more about Roger, about me, about Andy. People outside tennis can think different about Nikolay, but we know he’s a very, very good player.”

Davydenko has finished each of the past three years in the top five. But he has yet to reach a Grand Slam final, and the Key Biscayne title was only his second in a Masters Series event.

He also won a U.S. tournament for only the second time.

“I can’t play better today, because he played at an unbelievable level,” Nadal said.

Nadal has yet to win a title this year as the tour switches to clay, his favorite surface. He’ll try for his fourth consecutive French Open title beginning next month.

On the women’s side, Serena Williams retained the title by beating fourth seed Jelena Jankovic on Saturday.

(SD-Agencies)