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Fourth-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko (pictured with family) captured his second ATP Masters Series title as he defeated World No. 2 Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-2 in the Sony Ericsson Open Final on Sunday in Miami.

In the first all Top Five final since 2004 when No.2 Andy Roddick defeated No. 3 Guillermo Coria, breaks were exchanged early in the first set, as celebrities, such as actor Owen Wilson, watched on. Davydenko then struggled through a tight game at 2-3, saving two break points, before hitting back to break Nadal to love and inch ahead 4-3 with some fine play.

The 26-year-old Davydenko confidently closed out the first set with more accurate hitting from the back of the court, forcing errors from Nadal.

Davydenko, playing in just his second ATP Masters series final, was able to capitalize on his momentum at the beginning of the second set and went a break up as Nadal struggled to find form on his forehand side.

Watch Interviews on ATP Masters Series TV: Nadal | Davydenko

A second break of serve was secured for Davydenko at 3-1 as he fired a forehand winner to move into a 4-1 lead. Serving for the match at 5-2, the Russian held his nerve to close out his first career victory against Nadal, putting away a forehand winner on his second match point after 1hr., 30mins.

"Second time to win Masters Series, it's like for me something important," said Davydenko. "Fighting every match, you know, save match point and coming to the final and win, beat Nadal in the final, first time in my career."

"My tennis was so good today. I think it's the best tennis of the hardcourt season. Here Nadal was favorite, and also in semifinal Roddick was the favorite. Just to beat two guys in two sets is like amazing for me."

"I think he played at a good level," reflected Nadal. "He played a good match, but I didn't play well today. So when you don't play at 100% at this level against top players, it's tough to win, especially on a hard surface. So I congratulate him more because he played better than me."

"In one moment of the match, at 3-3, I have one break point, important point. I didn't win this point. I have one mistake with the forehand. After this point he started playing match much better. It was a big change because he was making some mistakes. I was making the same mistakes, too, but at this moment he changed a lot in the match. He start playing much better and was big change for me. He played more aggressive, with more good feelings, forehand, backhand volley, dropshot."

The Volgograd resident, Davydenko, becomes the first Russian to lift the singles trophy at the Sony Ericsson Open in the tournament’s 24-year history. Having come through his first three rounds in tight three set encounters, the Russian, whose previous best result in Miami was the fourth round in 2006 (l. to Ancic), emphatically defeated Janko Tipsarevic in the quarterfinals, before recording his first career victory over No. 6 Andy Roddick in Friday night’s semifinal.

Making his seventh appearance in Miami, Davydenko was featuring in his first ATP Masters Series final since 2006 when he claimed his first AMS Shield in Paris (d. Hrbaty). Also a semifinalist in 2005 Hamburg and 2007 Rome and Cincinnati, Davydenko now improves to a 58-42 career standing in AMS play.

"Maybe I feel more confident because I beat very good guys here, and now and in the future I start coming and I play something maybe different, maybe much better, maybe much better, much faster. For me it's good I won here, and we'll see how good I can prepare for the clay court season."

The victory marks Davydenko’s first ATP title of the season, and the 12th (12-3) of his career. His previous best results this season have come in the Middle East, where he reached the semifinals in Doha (l. to Murray) and Dubai (l. to Lopez).

The 21-year-old Nadal finishes runner-up in Miami for the second time, having lost his first final in five sets in 2005 against World No. 1 Roger Federer. The Spaniard was appearing in his 13th career ATP Masters Series final, and was bidding to become the fourth player to claim at least 10 AMS titles since 1990.

"I played a very good tournament," said Nadal. "I won against very good players. I played at my best level against Berdych, against Blake, against Mathieu. So for that reason I won against these top players. Today I didn't play my best. He played well and I lost."

Nadal (pictured, above right), who had the third best winning percentage in ATP finals in the Open Era (.767%), slips to 23-8 in ATP singles finals win-loss. He was searching for his first title since Stuttgart last year (d. Wawrinka). He was appearing in his second ATP singles final of the year, having also finished runner-up in Chennai at the start of the campaign (l. to Youzhny). He was a semifinalist at the Australian Open (l. to Tsonga) and in Indian Wells last week (l. to Djokovic).

Nadal remains one victory shy of his 100th career ATP Masters Series win, standing at 99-23 since appearing in ATP Masters Series in Monte-Carlo four years ago. He has amassed nine career ATP Masters Series shields in 13 finals.

Sony Ericsson Open Tournament Profile | ATP Masters Series TV | Photo Gallery

Friday: Nadal, Davydenko Vie for Sony Ericsson Open Title
Thursday: Roddick Solves Federer to Reach SF
Wednesday: Nadal Makes it Two Straight vs. Blake; Berdych Up Next
Tuesday: Past Champions Federer, Roddick to Meet in QFs
Tuesday: Blake Avenges LA Defeat to Stepanek
Monday: Roddick, Youzhny Advance to Last 16
Monday: Federer Joins Davydenko in Fourth Round
Sunday: Nadal Returns to 4th Rd.; Canas, Mathieu, Andreev Advance
Sunday: Blake Outlasts Santoro; Berdych Advances Easily
Saturday: Federer, Roddick Win Openers; Murray, Hewitt Fall
Saturday: Tsonga Wins in Miami Debut; Seed Exodus Continues
Friday: Qualifier Anderson Upsets Defending Champ Djokovic
Friday: Nadal Advances to Third Round
Thursday: Monfils Rallies to Defeat Isner
Thursday: Reynolds Upsets Safin; Russian Struggles Continue
Wednesday: Querrey Advances Along With Teenagers Cilic, del Potro
Wednesday: Fans Favorite Kuerten Falls in Opener