Nikolay Davydenko keeps his hopes of qualifying for ATP World Tour Finals alive in Paris

Associated Press

Last update: November 10, 2009 - 5:50 AM

PARIS - Sixth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko of Russia moved closer to qualifying for next month's eight-man ATP World Tour Finals by beating Benjamin Becker of Germany 6-2, 6-1 Tuesday in the second round of the Paris Masters.

Davydenko, who broke his opponent five times and saved the four break points he faced, is one of seven players who can still qualify for the season-ending event in London. Fernando Verdasco, Robin Soderling, Fernando Gonzalez, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Radek Stepanek and Marin Cilic are also in the running.

The 28-year-old Davydenko, who won the Paris Masters in 2006, needs to reach the semifinals to secure one of the two remaining spots.

Davydenko will next face either Soderling or Ivo Karlovic of Croatia.

Tsonga was to play Albert Montanes of Spain later Tuesday. The Frenchman, who retired in the first round of the Valencia Open last week with a wrist injury, must win again in Paris without facing Verdasco in the final to qualify for the World Tour Finals.

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