Chennai: The recent Mumbai carnage did not act as a deterrent for Russian tennis star Nikolay Davydenko’s visit to India and the world No.5 is now determined to win the Chennai Open in the absence of compatriot Mikhail Youzhny.

“I never had any second thoughts about coming to India because of the Mumbai terror attacks. If you remember Bangkok airport was closed for two weeks and reopened only on December 5 last. Such things happen.

“It is not happening in Chennai, which is a different city. From 2002 I played in Doha for six years in a row. Now I tried to change something,” Davydenko, tournament favourite and top seed, said at a media interaction.

With Youzhny preferring to play in Doha rather than playing here as defending champion, Davydenko said he would defend the title for his compatriot. “I am very excited to play at the Chennai Open. The tournament has become very popular on the circuit. This is also my first visit to India so I am looking forward to playing here.

“Last year Youzhny beat (Rafael) Nadal to win the tournament. I do not know why he has not come here being the defending champion. May be I need to defend him here now.” (PTI)