Rusedski hopes dashed

Greg Rusedski’s hopes of finishing the year as British number one were shattered today when he was beaten in straight sets by third seed Nikolay Davydenko in the second round of the Paris Masters Series.

The 32-year-old, who won in the French capital in 1998, was thrashed 6-2 6-2 in 59 minutes by the Russian.

Rusedski lost the first set in 24 minutes after being broken twice by Davydenko, who will need to reach the final in Paris to book his ticket to the Shanghai Masters later this month.

He lost his serve in the third game following a missed volley, and then blew a chance to fight back and take his rival’s serve to level when his forehand return went wide.

Davydenko broke him again to take a comfortable 5-2 lead before serving out for the first set.

The second set proved just as difficult for Rusedski who was unable to recapture the form which saw him oust Italy’s Andreas Seppi in straight sets in the first round yesterday.

Having conceded the first game of the second set, Rusedski threw his racket down in anger when his forehand went out.

Davydenko broke him again in the seventh game thanks to a powerful forehand passing shot.

The Russian then served out for the match, converting matchpoint with a powerful forehand which left Rusedski stunned in the backcourt.