Federer pulls out of Qatar Open
The back spasms Federer felt during matches with Greg Zemlja and Andreas Seppi have not gone away despite treatment and painkillers, and he now feels the risk of compensatory injuries is now too great. He has pulled out to give himself the best chance of appearing in good shape at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, the Australian Open, starting in ten days time.
Federer was due to have met France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the number three seed, in the semi-final.
"I'm sorry for holding this press conference," said Federer, who has been enjoying a 20-match unbeaten run. "I hurt my back in my second-round match [against Zemlja] and I don't see improvement. I've played two matches in pain and don't think it's the right thing to risk anything more."
Federer said he feels 'optimistic' that he will be fit for the Australian Open.
Kvitova downs Wozniacki
Meanwhile, Petra Kvitova helped the Czech Republic reach the Hopman Cup final, defeating world number one Caroline Wozniacki.
The most-anticipated match of the tournament lived up to expectations, with the left-handed Czech Republic player and world number two triumphing 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-4, in two hours and 16 minutes.
In the men's singles, Tomas Berdych secured the Czech Republic's place in the final, with a straight-sets win over Frederik Nielsen, 6-1, 6-3.
In today's final, the top seeded Czech duo will meet second-seeds France, represented by Marion Bartoli and Richard Gasquet.
Clijsters concedes Brisbane semi-final
Elsewhere, Kim Clijsters was forced to pull out of her Brisbane International semi-final against Daniela Hantuchova with a hip injury, but remained confident of making the Australian Open.
Clijsters' withdrawal allowed the Slovak to win 6-7 (4/7), 3-1 to move into the final against Estonia's Kaia Kanepi.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2012.
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