Top-ranked Roger Federer was upset by Nikolay Davydenko, 6-4, 6-4, yesterday in the semifinal of the Qatar Open at Doha, Qatar.

The sixth-ranked Davydenko improved to 2-12 against Federer. The Russian defeated Federer at the season-ending championships in London in November.

"He tried to create pressure but I came up with winners when I wanted to," Davydenko said. "I ran a lot and that made me tired, especially in the second set. But I fought for every point."

The upset prevents a final showdown between Federer and Rafael Nadal. The second-ranked Nadal cruised past fifth-seeded Viktor Troicki of Serbia, 6-1, 6-3.

"I think it will be a tough match because I have watched Rafa play," Davydenko said. "He is playing good tennis at the moment. He can play for 10 hours, I can't. The fans will get to watch a good match."

Nadal and Davydenko have each won four times in head-to-head matches.

"I don't know for how much longer I can hold this level of tennis," Davydenko said.

A-ROD GAINS FINAL

Top-seeded Andy Roddick will meet defending champion Radek Stepanek in the final of the Brisbane International after rallying for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over fourth-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic today at Brisbane, Australia.

Stepanek beat Frenchman Gael Monfils, 6-2, 6-1.

HOCKEY

WOMEN PLAY FENWAY

Boston's Fenway Park is the home of a college hockey doubleheader, including the first outdoor women's college hockey game in history.

New Hampshire beat Northeastern, 5-3, in the women's game yesterday. It was followed by a men's Beanpot matchup where Boston University beat Boston College, 3-2.

The games, played before a crowd of 38,472, followed the NHL's Winter Classic where the Boston Bruins beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1, New Year's day.

SOCCER

TOGO TEAM BUS SHOT

Gunmen opened fire yesterday on a bus carrying football players from the West African nation of Togo to a tournament in Angola, wounding at least six people including two athletes, a Togolese football official said.

Togolese football federation vice president Gabriel Ameyi said backup goalkeeper Obilale Kossi and central defender Serge Akakpo were among those hurt.

The 16-team African championship starts tomorrow in Angola, with Togo due to play its opening match Monday against Ghana in Cabinda. The team had just crossed the border into Angola when the bus came under fire.

AND WHAT'S MORE ...

Texas All-America safety Earl Thomas, who set a team record with eight interceptions this season, is leaving school after his sophomore season to enter the NFL draft. ... Receiver Damian Williams is leaving the Southern California football program, announcing he's skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. ... Quarterback Jake Locker — a likely high first-round pick — decided to bypass the wealth of the pros for one more season at Washington and a chance to restore the luster to the once-proud program.