Rafael Nadal and Nikolay Davydenko fight for survival in Group B.

Watch Nadal v Davydenko live for free at bet365 > sports > live streaming tennis

Both players are in danger of making an early exit from the competition so a win is vital. For Rafael Nadal that might be a blessing in disguise with the Spaniard’s ridiculously extended season taking its toll not just physically but mentally.

Nadal has half an eye on next month’s Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic which will lengthen his season by another couple of weeks after this tournament finishes. It’s a tough schedule for the world number two, with just three weeks break before the 2010 season kicks off down under.

“My aim is still to be fighting and practising hard to be ready to compete another time,” Nadal said in the aftermath of his defeat to Soderling. “Sometimes you have great moments, sometimes worse moments. This probably is one of those worse moments for me right now. I just have to accept and work to improve the situation. This year it is going to be extremely hard to finish really well. I believe in myself that I can come back playing well next year.”

Nadal seems resigned to the fact that his best tennis isn’t going to happen for him this week. After the error-strewn display he produced against Soderling, it will be a tough ask for him to overcome Davydenko, one of the fastest and most battle-hardened competitors on the circuit. When they played in Shanghai last month, Nadal was worn down 7-6, 6-3.

The bookies have Davydenko as favourite and going by Monday’s matches he looks the most likely to win. He’s 4/6 with sporting bet who also have Nadal at 23/20