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Dangerous Davydenko dares to dream

MELBOURNE - Nikolay Davydenko is daring to dream after another sparkling performance at the Australian Open on Saturday.

The Russian sixth seed crushed Argentinian Juan Monaco 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 and is yet to drop a set in three matches, conceding just 17 games in nine sets in reaching the last 16 for the fifth year in a row.

The win over the 30th-seeded Monaco extended his current winning streak to 12 matches and the 28-year-old said for the first time he felt like a Grand Slam title was within reach.

“I am feeling very good confident now,” he said.

“Before, I didn’t want to tell you guys, yes I can win and I want to win a Grand Slam.

“But this level, if I keep it up, maybe I have a chance to win.”

Despite being a veteran of the tour, Davydenko said his game had improved significantly over the last 12 months.

“Maybe it depends how many matches you play and against who you play and against who you win,” he said.

“Last year I beat so many good guys — (Roger) Federer, (Rafael) Nadal and (Juan Martin) Del Potro.

“Also in Shanghai I beat (Novak) Djokovic.

“Very tough matches, but now I have very good confidence and maybe my tennis has changed a little bit.

“Maybe I’m starting to play a bit faster and do not make so many mistakes.”

Davydenko’s form has been noted in the locker room and Djokovic nominated him as the man to beat for the title.

“I think the player who’s a little bit under-talked is Davydenko,” Djokovic said.

“He’s playing the best tennis of his life.

“He’s on a roll and he’s definitely one of the players that can win the title this year. Lately, he just stepped it up and I think he feels it as well.

“He feels that he can beat anyone now.”

Monaco was powerless to stop an early onslaught as the Russian reeled off the first nine games in quick time.

The Argentinian won just eight points in the first set and took until the fourth game of the second set to get on the board.

Such was the dominance of Davydenko that Monaco raised his arms in triumph and looked thankfully to the heavens when he finally held serve to open his account.

Monaco was more competitive in the third set, achieving his only break of the match, but Davydenko quickly steadied and a break of his own in the ninth game allowed him to serve out the match.

Davydenko, who has never made a Grand Slam final, hit 22 winners on his way to his fourth win in five meetings with Monaco, while his opponent could only manage four.

The Russian will now play ninth-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco for a place in the quarter-finals.

Verdasco was handed an easy third-round victory when opponent Stefan Koubek retired ill after dropping the first set 6-1.