For the third time in a row Andy Murray got the better of Russian Nikolay Davydenko, defeating him 6-4, 6-3 and claiming his place in the first final of the year at the Qatar Open in Doha.

Murray survived a slow start that saw him go a break down with the opening game of the set. However, some clever play from the British number one, and a double fault from Davydenko, levelled the match at 3-3. The opening set was a real grudge match with both men producing some of their best tennis, but it was the Scot who secured the crucial break at 4-5 to take the set.

The second set was another display of Andy Murray's talent as he constantly played the short ball, drawing Davydenko into the net and out of his comfort zone. This clever tactic brought Andy a break to go 3-1 up, yet despite gaining match points against serve at 5-2, it was up to Andy to hold his nerve and his serve for a place in the final which he did with relative ease.

Swiss number two Stanislas Wawrinka awaits him there tomorrow having defeated Ivan Ljubibic earlier today 7-6 (7-1), 6-4.

I know what you mean, they so hate each other

That's Andy got more wins that losses against the top 5 players (9w-8l) and a 10-12 against top 10

That 10-12 is gonna have to improve if he's gonna make it deep into Slams and win a MS this year. But the top 5 stat is special. Even if he's never beaten 2 of the 5...

Just shows how good he is when he beats a top 4 player with relative ease and doesn't even play his best.  

....Murray was also keen to set the record straight because of reports a few weeks ago which appeared to suggest he was saying Davydenko was guilty of illegal betting.

He tapped the Russian on the shoulder as they left the court, spoke a few words, and later made it clear what he had said.

"What was reported made it seem that I was having a go at him and saying that he was betting on matches," Murray said. "And that's unfair, especially to so good a player as him.

"I would never say that till someone was found guilty, and so far there has been a long investigation and nothing has come out of it.

"I just cleared that up with him because I didn't think it was fair and it is a pretty difficult time for him.

"If I was in a situation where two or three players said he is guilty, he is guilty, it wouldn't feel great, and I never said that. And I never intended to make it seem he was guilty because it doesn't make sense. He is doing well for himself."

Presumably the only time he ever bothers to see him.

No probs. I wanted to read the entire article because I found it hard to believe Murray chose to say all that stuff then, especially as the microphones can pick it up etc.

He always plays like he enjoys it against the big opponents, every match before that he played like he was bored of tennis.

So you've not noticed any difference then?