PARIS, Nov 3: Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko closed in on a place at the Masters Cup in Shanghai when he defeated compatriot Dmitry Tursunov 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters on Thursday.

The 24-year-old Russian number one has never played in the season-ending showpiece but his chances of making it for the first time were boosted on Wednesday when countryman Marat Safin pulled out with a knee injury.

His bid was further aided by Thursday’s win, his second in his career over the 22-year-old Tursunov, who battled through the qualifying tournament.

However, it came at a cost as he needed lengthy treatment on his right shoulder after the first and second sets.

Davydenko goes on to face either the Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek or remaining French player Paul-Henri Mathieu for a place in the semi-finals.

World number three Andy Roddick, the top seed here, takes on Slovakia’s Dominik Hrbaty later Thursday for a place in the last eight.

The American is the overwhelming favourite for the title after the world’s top two Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as well as Lleyton Hewitt, Marat Safin and Andre Agassi all pulled out.

Earlier on Tuesday night top seed Andy Roddick opened his campaign with a 6-4 6-7 7-5 victory over Taylor Dent in an all-American second round match.—Reuters