Davydenko feared warning after sluggish Paris display

Russia's Nikolay Davydenko said he had feared receiving a warning during a sluggish display in a 6-2 6-2 third-round defeat by Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis at the Paris Masters Series tournament on Thursday.

World number four Davydenko, who was fined $2,000 for not trying hard enough during his shock defeat by Croatian qualifier Marin Cilic at the St Petersburg Open last week, was seen arguing with the umpire during Thursday's match.
"I was thinking he might give me a warning," Davydenko said. "He just asked me what was happening. I told him I couldn't explain."

Davydenko, who won the Paris tournament last year and has already qualified for the season-ending Masters Cup featuring the world's top eight, served weakly throughout, making 10 double faults and a string of other unforced errors.

Tennis came under the spotlight in August when a match between Davydenko and lowly ranked Argentine Martin Vassallo Arguello in Poland was voided by British online betting exchange Betfair because of unusual betting patterns.

Davydenko has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

"He didn't serve well but he played well," Baghdatis said of Davydenko's performance on Thursday.

"I was not thinking about the stories and rumors about him. I don't know if they are true or not. I needed to be focused and play well. That's what I did."