Fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko ended Slovakian ironman Dominik Hrbaty's amazing run at the Australian Open [Images] on Monday, winning their fourth round match 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
The lanky Russian, who had rallied from a set down to beat towering Croatian Ivo Karlovic in the opening round, looked to be heading out when he lost the first two sets and was down a service break in the third.
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But he broke back before taking the third, then raced through the last two sets as Hrbaty finally started to show signs of fatigue after playing three five-set matches just to get to the fourth round."I don't think anybody believed that I was going to win that match. I didn't believe myself," Davydenko said.
Hrbaty was understandably exhausted. The 17th seed had become just the fifth player to play four consecutive five-set matches since tennis turned professional in 1968.
The only other player to do it at the Australian Open was Felix Mantilla three years ago.
"I was already tired after the second five setter, it was already quite enough," the Slovakian said.
"I would have to be really lucky to win the match. He was more fresh. I think you could see after the third set he was one step ahead of me.
"I was trying, but I didn't have enough power to run for all the balls. He played good angles. Then after he stopped missing, and that was tough."
Hrbaty, playing his 36th consecutive Grand Slam, a record among active players, was also troubled by blisters on his feet, a result of his long matches.
"At 4:00 in the morning, I was sitting in the bathroom having my feet in the water because I had so much pain that I couldn't sleep," he said.
"I had a really bad blister on my feet. Then all day I was basically taking care of my feet and went for a swimming pool, had a massage, was worrying if I will be even able to run on the court.
"In the end, I was really happy the way I played. I mean, I had the pain, but I overcame it and I tried to fight to win the match."
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