Nikolay Davydenko (foto) is de volgende tegenstander van Roger Federer bij het ATP-toernooi in Doha. De als derde geplaatste Rus ontdeed zich donderdag in de kwartfinale van het Kroatische servicekanon Ivo Karlovic: 7-6, 7-6.
Federer won eerder op de dag met grote moeite van de Let Ernests Gulbis: 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. Bij winst op Davydenko speelt de nummer één van de wereld in de eindstrijd tegen Rafael Nadal of de Serviër Victor Troicki.
RAFAEL Nadal, seeking his first ATP World Tour title in eight months, admitted after reaching the semi-finals of the Qatar Open that he has been suffering from a crisis of confidence.
“I have had a lot of problems in the head,” the former world number one said after winning 6-1 2-0 when his opponent, the Belgian qualifier Steve Darcis, retired after only 35 minutes of very one-sided action.
“I have had under-confidence and things in the head – but that’s life. You have to accept problems and you have to come back. I am trying. We will see what happens in the next six months.” (more…)
Third seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia also signed in for the quarter-finals by thrashing Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland in straight sets. Winner of the season-ending championships in London last November, Davydenko yesterday won 6-2, 6-4 in 83 minutes.
“I am surprised to have won the match in two sets,” Davydenko said. “I practised for only two weeks and then I fell sick. I was on medicines before coming here. So I am still struggling with my shots. Yes, I am surprised I finished the match in two sets,” the Russian added. (more…)
Top-ranked Roger Federer and No. 2 Rafael Nadal each won in straight sets Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals at the Qatar Open.
Federer beat Evgeny Korolev of Russia 6-2, 6-4, and Nadal defeated Potito Starace of Italy 6-2, 6-2.
Federer broke three times in the first set and once in the second. The Swiss star, who won the Qatar Open in 2005 and ‘06, will play either Andreas Seppi of Italy or Ernests Gulbis of Latvia on Thursday.
“I know how he plays, so I had the match under control,” Federer said. “He plays a lot of balls on the forehand, so I was able to stay ahead in the match. There were long rallies in the second set, but I am pleased to have reached the quarterfinals.” (more…)