Davydenko outguns Simon

VALENCIA, Spain  — Nikolay Davydenko beat fifth-seeded Gilles Simon 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Monday in the first round of the Valencia Open, denting the Frenchman’s hopes of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals.

Simon trails eighth-ranked American Mardy Fish by 720 points with only the Paris Masters to play before the season-ending tour finals in London. Only the top eight qualify for the Nov. 20-27 tournament in London.

Davydenko will next face   Nicolas Mahut, who ousted Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 7-6 (5), 6-2.

In Monday’s late match, Vasek Pospisil of Canada beat John Isner of the United States 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (9).