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SHANGHAI : Russia's Nikolay Davydenko beat Chile's Fernando Gonzalez on Thursday to advance to the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters, and move closer to securing a place in the ATP's season-ending final.
But the sixth-seeded Davydenko -- who beat the 10th seed Gonzalez, 6-3, 7-5 -- said he would not be heartbroken should he fail to qualify for the eight-man World Tour Finals in London, and would instead just enjoy the time off.
"Like my wife said already -- 'You are already Top 15 this year. Why do you want to think about London?'" he told reporters.
"I'll enjoy a holiday if I don't reach London. You can lose your mind worrying and lose in every tournament in the first round."
Davydenko is currently eighth in the race to London. He is battling for a spot in the November 22-29 tournament along with Andy Roddick, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Fernando Verdasco and Gilles Simon.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, injured Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro have already qualified.
Davydenko, who missed three months of the season due to foot and ankle injuries, said that he was mainly pleased about being injury-free again.
"If I don't reach London, it's good. I have more time to spend with my family and then... prepare for next season. It's been a long season," he said.
In other action in Shanghai, 13th seed Radek Stepanek reached the last eight as Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka retired with the Czech up 4-2 in the third set.
Wawrinka lasted for nearly two and a half hours before giving up after eight aces and three breaks of serve.
- AFP /ls
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