The top-seeded David Ferrer was sensationally denied a place in the final of the Qatar tennis Open by forgotten man Nikolay Davydenko, who will play world No.10 Richard Gasquet in the decider.
The 31-year-old Russian Davydenko, without a win over a top 10 player in 15 attempts, and without an appearance in a final for 21 months, clinched a stunning 6-2 6-3 win over one of the tour's most tenacious players.
Davydenko beat the Spaniard with a bullying brilliance which reminded people a little of the successive victories he produced over Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal when he capture the title in Doha three years ago.
Since then Davydenko has been hit by injuries, loss of form, and even loss of direction, sinking to an eight-year low of world number 50 last year. He is still outside the top 40.
Ferrer now heads to Auckland to defend his Heineken open title.
