Davydenko's fine is lifted

Russia's Nikolai Davydenko has won his appeal against a fine for not trying hard enough during a match, the Association of Tennis Professionals announced yesterday.

The ATP have agreed to overturn the $2,000 (£965) fine imposed on the world No 4 following a defeat to Croatia's Marin Cilic in St Petersburg last month. "Following an extensive review of the match... that included a full video analysis, it was decided that Davydenko's appeal should be upheld and the $2,000 fine rescinded," the ATP's rule chief, Gayle Bradshaw, said.

Davydenko, taking part in the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai this week, was already at the centre of a betting investigation. A match in August involving the Russian was voided by the British online betting exchange Betfair because of unusual betting patterns.

In Shanghai, the world No 2, Rafael Nadal, suffered a surprise defeat – 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 – to his fellow Spaniard David Ferrer yesterday. Ferrer, who improved his round-robin record to 2-0, virtually assured himself a semi-final spot.

Nadal must now beat the Serbian Novak Djokovic in his final Gold Group match to advance.

"David is playing with unbelievable confidence and moving unbelievable – just crazy," Nadal said. "No excuse. This is the toughest tournament of the year. Anything can happen."