MIAMI (Florida), April 7: Russia’s Nikolay Davydeno played near perfect tennis to win the Sony Ericsson Open with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Spaniard Rafael Nadal on Sunday.

Fourth seed Davydenko, the first Russian to win the title in its 24-year history, dominated the one hour, 22 minute contest and never allowed Nadal to find his rhythm.

“It’s the second time I’ve won a Masters Series title and for me it’s important because I’ve been fighting in every match,” said Davydenko, who won the 2006 Masters crown in Paris.

The Russian picked up his first title of the year after beating crowd favourite and sixth seed Andy Roddick in the semi-finals before overcoming world No 2 Nadal.

“He was playing unbelievable tennis and there was nothing I could do,” said second-seeded Nadal, who is still looking for his first title of the year.”

World No 4 Davydenko, who has been ranked in the top five for the past three years, had only ever got as far as the fourth round in Miami which he did in 2006.

Davydenko faltered only once on Sunday, losing his serve to love in the fourth game when he netted a forehand volley, having just broken the three times French Open champion to lead 2-1.

Davydenko broke Nadal’s serve to love in the seventh game and served out the first set when the struggling Spaniard’s backhand crosscourt shot sailed long on a second set point.

“I didn’t feel my rhythm on court, so I played a bad game today,” Nadal said. “He played more aggressively, with more good feeling (on) his forehand, backhand, volley and dropshot.”

The Russian got off to a great start in the second set with a break and took control with another in the fifth game before wrapping up the title on his second match point.

Davdenko, clearly enjoying a first career win in three matches against Nadal, smiled and waved to the crowd at the end of the match before receiving his trophy.

Nadal, who reached the Chennai final this season, lost a five-set final to Roger Federer at the 2005 Miami tournament and was disappointed to fall at the final hurdle again.—Reuters