Racing from corner to corner late in the decisive set, Roger Federer was jerked around the court when Nikolay Davydenko ratcheted up the degree of difficulty in a disorienting rally by playing over Federer's head. Spinning abruptly, Federer sprinted back to the baseline, and flicked a defensive backhand at Davydenko's feet before swooping forward to fire a forehand winner down the line inciting a roar from the Rotterdam crowd.
That extraordinary exchange typified today's semifinal: Davydenko dragged Federer around the court for much of the match only to see the top-seeded Swiss summon improvised brilliance on big points to escape an upset with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win that sent him into Sunday's final.
The world No. 3 entered this encounter with a 16-2 record vs. Davydenko, including a 6-2, 6-2, thrashing that spanned just 54 minutes in Doha last month. The 30-year-old Russian had not taken a set from Federer since the 2010 Australian Open, but built a set and a break lead and later came within one shot of serving for the match holding a 4-3 lead and triple break point in the decider.
An inviting open expanse of green court greeted Davydenko as he set his feet and took aim with his trusted two-handed backhand, one swing from serving for the match, but Davydenko splattered the shot into the top of the tape, Federer fired successive aces and eventually held for 4-4. Still ruing lost opportunity, Davydenko dropped serve at love as Federer reeled off eight consecutive points and 12 of the last 13 points.
That fast finish contrasted with a stumbled start for Federer, who blew a 30-lead in the ninth game. At deuce, Federer appeared to be in control as he rushed net, but a skidding Davydenko slid a slice backhand at his shoelaces and Federer could not handle a demanding half volley. The top seed slapped a forehand into net and Davydenko had the break for 5-4. Things got complicated on set point when Davydenko lashed a running forehand off the line that a lunging Federer wristed back, but Davydenko's drive was incorrectly called out. Replay showed the ball landed on the line. Davydenko stared at chair umpire Fergus Murphy for a moment then got back to work. He saved a pair of break points before closing the 45-minute first set when Federer framed a forehand wide.
Davydenko has the slender physique of a distance runner, but when he's on his timing is impeccable as he straddles the baseline and redirects drives into the corners. He plays like a tennis thief, robbing opponents of time and purloining their power with his skill at taking the ball on the rise. Federer frequently looked rushed, banging his backhand into net and struggling to find the range on his forehand. Trailing 1-3 in the second set, a flagging Federer took advantage of the one vulnerability in Davydenko's game — his volley. Davydenko floated a volley long as Federer broke for 3-all. The top seed won five straight games and sealed the second set with an ace.
Federer converted just three of 13 break points, but survived and will carry an 8-2 record against Juan Martin del Potro in Sunday's final that is a rematch of the 2009 U.S. Open final.
—Richard Pagliaro