Andy Potts

Nikolai Davydenko's Australian Open hopes were ended in a dramatic quarter-final against world No. 1 Roger Federer - but the Russian ace handed his Swiss opponent a real scare. 

Despite conceding an early break of serve Davydenko recovered strongly to take the first set, with the usually unflappable Federer looking shaky. 

And midway through the second set the Russian was a break up and closing in on a double break, only for the Swiss to get on a roll which saw him reel off an incredible 13 unanswered game wins, turning the match on its head. 

But Davydenko is renowned as a gritty fighter and where many players might have crumbled at 2-0 down in the fourth set he hit back to break Federer's serve once more and reignite a compelling tie in Melbourne. 

And when the Russian gained three break points in game eight, it seemed a remarkable fight-back could be on the way until Federer slammed down five untouchable serves to dig himself out of trouble. 

The pair traded further breaks in a topsy-turvy fourth set before Federer finally managed to hold on and complete the match, winning 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, 7-5. 

Russia's remaining women, Marya Kirillenko and Nadya Petrova, also went out in the quarter-finals, falling to Jie Zheng and Justine Henin respectively.