World number one Novak Djokovic started his 2016 campaign with an easy Qatar Open final win over long-time rival Rafael Nadal in Doha on Saturday.
Advertisement
Djokovic looked tired and needed treatment on a back problem but just when you thought an epic Nadal comeback was very much on the cards, Djokovic rediscovered his form and instead it was the Spaniard who fell away in the fourth set as his opponent wrapped up victory after four hours and 10 minutes of majestic tennis.
Among Djokovic’s achievements in the week-long Doha warm-up was the fact that he did not drop a set in five matches, secured a 60th career title and edged ahead of Nadal in their personal rivalry, 24 matches to 23.
Nadal’s serve dominated throughout against a player who troubled the best all week and knocked out the reigning champion and number four seed David Ferrer in round one.
Murray has reached the final in Melbourne on four occasions, losing to Djokovic in 2011, 2013 and again past year, making the Briton determined to finally go one better in 2016. Obviously knowing that I can play a match makes me feel relieved a bit, but it’s a little issue that has been there for most of this week.
Afterward he admitted he had a slight concern over an arm injury which has required attention from a physio but added that he didn’t think “it’s a major concern”.
‘Of course, he is the favourite for the Australian Open. “[The Doha title] does definitely give me a great deal of confidence for the rest of the season”, he continued further.
The 28-year-old broke Nadal twice in both sets as the Spaniard had no answer to the pace and power of his ground strokes. “Let’s see what happens”, Djokovic told the crowd of his upcoming final against Nadal. “It always represents a great challenge to play Nadal because of the fact that we have played so many times for the trophies”.
In the first game of the first set, Nadal came rather close to breaking Djokovic, but the Serbian had other plans. “From the very beginning I managed to get every shot the way I wanted”, said Djokovic.
Advertisement
The world’s top women tennis pair of Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis started the New Year on a brilliant note by clinching the women’s doubles title of the $1 million Brisbane International at the Queensland Tennis Centre on Saturday. It has to be an encouraging sign for Nadal that he hasn’t suffered a loss against a player who is of a lesser caliber than he.
