Davydenko reaches Masters semis with Murray-Federer on deck

SHANGHAI, China -- Andy Murray will have an avid fan when he plays Roger Federer at the Masters Cup on Friday.

Nikolay Davydenko faces the winner in the semifinals, and he's dreading the prospect that it could be Federer -- for good reason. He's 0-12 against the second-ranked Swiss star, and 3-3 against Murray.

"Against Murray, I have more chance," Davydenko said after beating Juan Martin Del Potro 6-3, 6-2 Thursday to reach the semifinals.

Federer, who lost his opening match to Gilles Simon, has to win to continue pursuit of his fifth Masters Cup title.

If Federer loses, Simon advances even if he loses to 26th-ranked Radek Stepanek, who replaced Andy Roddick when the American pulled out with a sprained ankle. Simon only got into the elite field because top-ranked Rafael Nadal withdrew before the tournament began.

Murray is in the semis no matter what, but vowed he won't try to take it easy to save energy. He would prefer to have Federer out of the competition. After all, the Swiss star lost his first match last year and still won the season-ending tournament, and Murray doesn't want to lose momentum.

Davydenko's defense and relentless groundstrokes were the difference against Del Potro, turning an expected tight match -- the winner was guaranteed to go through -- into a rout. He broke Del Potro's serve four times in eight chances.

"Today, I played so good," Davydenko said. "I feel great."

Earlier, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France beat Novak Djokovic of Serbia 1-6, 7-5, 6-1. Djokovic had already been assured of a spot in the semis. Tsonga had been eliminated.

Del Potro was unable to put much pressure on his Russian opponent in the first set, connecting on only 42 percent of his first serves.

Serving while trailing 4-3, Del Potro double-faulted to set up break point. Davydenko put away a forehand winner off a short ball for the game, then held at love for the set.

After Del Potro held to start the second set, Davydenko won five straight games, leaving the Argentine looking increasingly frustrated. Del Potro held to get to 5-2, but Davydenko finished it off by holding at love.

Del Potro wasn't sure what happened to him. He said he didn't see the ball well, was moving slowly and never found a rhythm.