Rusedski on brink of lifting Kremlin Cup

Ten years since Greg Rusedski lost in the first round – as a Canadian – he is on the brink of becoming Britain's first–ever winner of the Kremlin Cup.

Ten years since Greg Rusedski lost in the first round – as a Canadian – he is on the brink of becoming Britain's first–ever winner of the Kremlin Cup.

This week he returned to compete in Moscow for the first time since 1994 and tomorrow will face Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the final, having overturned Dominik Hrbaty 6–4 6–3 to claim his third seeded victim of the week.

And although the home hope will have strong support, fatigue could play a part as Davydenko revealed he was on the brink of collapse during his semi–final victory over compatriot Mikhail Youzhny today.

Rusedski is unseeded in Moscow, just as he was 10 years ago, two months after his 21st birthday, when he perished in the first round against Holland's Paul Haarhuis.

But now at the age of 31, Rusedski has weaved his way through a difficult–looking draw to reach the final, taking down big–serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic, seventh seed Filippo Volandri, second seed Joachim Johansson and now Hrbaty – the third seed.

He made light of the challenge posed by Hrbaty, breaking in the 10th game of the first set and then early in the second to ensure full control of the match.

Despite making just one less unforced error than Hrbaty, Rusedski was on top in a host of departments, notably his serve as 12 aces to his opponent's three testified.

With a top–speed first serve of 140mph, he was warming up nicely for a duel against Davydenko, a title winner in Munich this year who stands 35th in the Champions Race – some 30 places above Rusedski.

Notably, Rusedski's volleying was spot on, sharper than it had been against Johansson on Friday.

"It was a different match from yesterday," said Rusedski, who has been a British citizen since 1995.

"I volleyed well today, which was the key as he passes very well.

"I'm happy with the way I played, I feel I am getting better each match and I look forward to playing Davydenko in the final."

Rusedski stands to pick up £80,000 and valuable ranking points should he carry off tomorrow's title.

After his brilliant run this week, he might consider it an oversight to have opted out of playing at this tournament since 1994.

"I haven't played here in a while, it didn't work out in my schedule," said Rusedski.

"This week I had got into the draw in Metz and Vienna but waited until I got into Moscow too and decided to come here."

Rusedski has 14 career titles to his name, and one already this year from Newport, Rhode Island.

He already knew, before beginning his semi–final, that lying in wait tomorrow would be Davydenko, a three–set winner against compatriot Youzhny earlier.

Davydenko prevailed 7–5 6–7 (5/7) 7–5, but it was an energy–sapping contest, and that factor may work in Rusedski's favour.

"I will need help to recover for the final," he said.

"You have to move so much on this slow surface, I had to work hard for every point.

"I thought I was dying out there but I kept moving and fighting. You can call it a little miracle that I won today.

"Rusedski is a serve and volley player and I prefer him to Hrbaty which would have been another baseline match."

Although the British number two's season has not hit the dizzy heights as that of Tim Henman, who can point to two grand slam semi–finals as proof of his superb year, Rusedski has gone one better than his compatriot and Davis Cup doubles partner by actually carrying off a title.

Henman will be looking to capture his first trophy of 2004 at the Madrid Masters Series event next week, where he has been promoted to top seed after a spate of withdrawals.

But by then, Rusedski may well have snagged a second tournament victory.

This season has been one of sharp contrasts for Rusedski.

Left pondering retirement after it emerged in January that he had tested positive for nandrolone, before being cleared of committing a doping offence by the ATP, Rusedski has since suffered the frustration of winning only one match in all four grand slam tournaments.

But to counter his failure to impress on the big stage, he has won his Newport title and reached four other quarter–finals.

Just last month he was a playing member of the Great Britain Davis Cup squad who lost to Austria in a World Group play–off, and yet in Moscow this week he has rediscovered top form.

He even suggested, after beating second seed Johansson in yesterday's quarter–finals, that his performances were becoming reminiscent of those he put in when at his prime.

Victory tomorrow would endorse such a bold statement.