Rampant Federer clinches Qatar Open
Federer warmed up for Australian Open in style, captured his third Qatar Open title with 6-3, 6-4 victory.
DOHA:
World number two Roger Federer warmed up for the Australian Open in style when he captured his third Qatar Open title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over defending champion Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in Doha.
Federer, who won the title in 2005 and 2006, took his career record to 15-2 over Davydenko who had knocked out top seed Rafael Nadal in Friday’s semi-finals. It was Federer’s 67th career title as he became the first three-time winner of the Qatar Open.
The Swiss star clinched victory in impressive fashion, winning the last 10 points of the match.
“It feels great. I can’t believe that I am on the board already this year,” said Federer. “This was a strong tournament and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Federer will now head to the Australian Open in confident mood as he looks to win a 17th Grand Slam title.
Davydenko looked all set for the final when he defeated a below-par Nadal earlier, but struggled to contain Federer from the outset, falling 3-0 down and doing well to save another six break points as the Swiss took the first set.
The second set was a tighter affair but a ruthless Federer took advantage of the first break point that came his way at 4-4 and served out to regain the title.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2011.
World number two Roger Federer warmed up for the Australian Open in style when he captured his third Qatar Open title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over defending champion Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in Doha.
Federer, who won the title in 2005 and 2006, took his career record to 15-2 over Davydenko who had knocked out top seed Rafael Nadal in Friday’s semi-finals. It was Federer’s 67th career title as he became the first three-time winner of the Qatar Open.
The Swiss star clinched victory in impressive fashion, winning the last 10 points of the match.
“It feels great. I can’t believe that I am on the board already this year,” said Federer. “This was a strong tournament and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Federer will now head to the Australian Open in confident mood as he looks to win a 17th Grand Slam title.
Davydenko looked all set for the final when he defeated a below-par Nadal earlier, but struggled to contain Federer from the outset, falling 3-0 down and doing well to save another six break points as the Swiss took the first set.
The second set was a tighter affair but a ruthless Federer took advantage of the first break point that came his way at 4-4 and served out to regain the title.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2011.