Kuala Lumpur - Russian top seed Nikolay Davydenko pulled back a second-set break of serve on his way to a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Spain's Fernando Verdasco Sunday to win the Malaysian Open;

The world number eight has now made it a hat-trick of titles this season after triumphing on clay two months ago in Hamburg and Umag.

"It feels just great to win here," said Davydenko, 17-5 in finals and 6-1 over second-seed Verdasco. "I have confidence now. It was a tough match, but they are all different."

Kuala Lumpur  - Top seed Nikolay Davydenko streaked to his 40th win of the season at the expense of Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-3 Friday to move into the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open.

The Russian who owns two clay titles in 2009, will face off Saturday against French Open finalist Robin Soderling after the Swede dispatched Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych 6-2, 6-2.

Soderling, who lost to Roger Federer for the Roland Garros title four months ago, has now won five of the last six meetings in that series.

Stuttgart - Italian Fabio Fognini upset second seed Nikolay Davydenko 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 on a rainy Friday at the Mercedes Cup to reach the fourth semi-final of his career.

The 22-year-old will face off Saturday on the clay of the Weissenhof club against fourth seed Victor Hanescu, who turned in another steady performance to oust lucky loser Alexandre Sidorenko of France 7-6 (7-2), 6-4.

Estoril, Portugal  - 2003 ATP winner Nikolay Davydenko showed the healing effect of a three-month injury break as the Russian second seed powered into his second tennis semi-final in three weeks with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Mardy Fish at the Estoril Open Friday.

Davydenko, last year's losing finalist against Roger Federer, didn't touch a racket from January through March due to a heel problem, which left him unable to run.

But the time away for the 27-year-old proved to be a benefit for his tennis, after years of grinding week-in, week-out tournaments on the ATP.

Barcelona - Russian Nikolay Davydenko checked in for another successful work day on the clay Friday while Rafael Nadal took advantage of a quarter-final walkover as the pair prepared for a Saturday semi-final clash at the Barcelona Open.

Top-seeded world number one Nadal put in some practise time after learning the day before that seventh-seeded Argentine opponent David Nalbandian would not be fronting up for their match due to hip problems which intensified during the previous round.

Miami  - Russians Maria Sharapova and Nikolay Davydenko both withdrew on Friday from next week's Miami Masters with injuries as the American hard court season moves to its second major event of the month.

Sharapova, who underwent shoulder surgery last October, tried and failed to test her shoulder with doubles last week at Indian Wells, California, losing in the first round with partner Elena Vesnina.

Her return to the WTA now looks to be put back to Rome on clay in May.

Melbourne  - The Australian Open has lost injured world number five Nikolay Davydenko as the Russian withdrew due to a nagging heel injury.

The opening Grand Slam of the season suffered its first high- profile defection through the pullout. Also on the possible danger list are Maria Sharapova and world number two Serena Williams.

Neither have played for months - Sharapova has missed six months - but both insist they will be ready for the major, which begins in 11 days.

Shanghai - Nikolay Davydenko had to overcome a late struggle from Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before defeating the Frenchman 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 7-6 (7-0) to start with a tight victory at the Masters Cup on Sunday.

The Russian had to sweep a third-set tiebreaker after failing to serve out victory leading 5-3 in the third, scratching through in two hours, 43 minutes.

Novak Djokovic broke his duck at the year-end spectacular, winning his first career match at the event after three 2007 losses.

The Serb overpowered Argentine Juan Del Potro 7-5, 6-3 to take the early lead in the Gold group.