Davydenko and Tsonga through to Boodles semi-finals

Some of the world’s top singles and doubles players took to the court yesterday (Tuesday) on the opening day of The Boodles Challenge 2009.

Nicolay Davydenko and Feliciano Lopez opened this year’s proceedings and battled it out on court in an enthralling match ending in an exciting championship tiebreak at 10-8. In the two hour two setter, Davydenko took the second set off Lopez to tie the match at one set all. Spectators were then treated to a thrilling championship tie breaker as Davydenko came back from 7-2 down to win the decider. 

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga took on up-and-coming youngster Grigor Dimitrov in the second match of the day. Tsonga proved his potential for Wimbledon by taking the match in straight sets 6-1, 6-4, but young Bulgarian just confirmed promise of a bright future in the game.

The exhibition match of the day saw sibling rivalry at its best. World No.1 doubles pairing Bob and Mike Bryan took on brothers Nicolas and Giovanni Lapentti. The Bryans closed out the match in two straight sets at 7-7, 6-4.

Davydenko said: “It was very enjoyable for my first major grass game. I lost it in the first set but felt better after. It was great preparation for Wimbledon and I was surprised by the wonderful weather here today at Stoke Park and I hope next week is also going to be like this!”
 
Tsonga commented: “It’s great to be here at The Boodles Challenge preparing for Wimbledon. I’m still working and I will see how it goes but I am very confident and I hope I will do well next week.”

Today (Wednesday) sees Gilles Simon take on Nicolas Lapentti at 2.15pm, followed by Philip Kohlscreiber against Vicktor Troicki. The final match sees Vaidisova take on Britain's Katie O'Brien.