Rafael Nadal of Spain (left) greets ExxonMobil Qatar Open champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia after the singles final at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha on Saturday.
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Novak Djokovic moved ahead for the first time in his long-running rivalry with Rafael Nadal when the world number one thrashed the Spaniard to win the Qatar Open in Doha.
Djokovic has already won the Australian Open five times, and he’ll be a heavy favourite again entering this year’s edition.
Going into the final, Djokovic and Nadal were tied at 23 wins apiece in their career meetings, the most between any players in ATP Tour history.
This year will see Murray head into the Australian Open as the world number two for the first time in his career but he has lost three times in the final of the competition to the Serb.
The Serb has now won nine of his last 10 clashes with Nadal.
Djokovic vs Nadal is slated to start at 6 pm local time (8:30 pm IST, 3 pm GMT). “Obviously easier said than done but the way I played today gives me confidence and satisfaction playing against Rafa, a great feeling”. But the Serbian was in no mood to settle with just one break, and claimed another in the sixth to go 5-1 up.
“I’m playing the tennis of my life and I will try to nurture and cherish those moments on the court”, he added.
Earlier on centre court, Nadal needed just one hour and 17 minutes to defeat the tournament’s surprise package Illya Marchenko 6-3, 6-4. I do, however, think that Nadal is an improved player and will seriously contend for multiple Grand Slam titles this season.
The win sets up a semifinal match with Austrian Dominic Thiem while the man he beat in last year’s final, Milos Raonic, takes on Bernard Tomic in the other semifinal on Saturday.
“It did feel as close to perfection as it could get”, said Djokovic, who didn’t drop a set all week.
Djokovic’s best figures are his current streaks: 80 consecutive weeks at No 1 and six finals reached in the last seven majors.
“I played against a player who did everything ideal”, he said. If I lost 6-1, 6-2 today, it’s because I played against a player, who played at the level that I didn’t know till today. “It’s always a great challenge and both of us had to go through a lot of emotions before the match getting ready and kind of analyzing and preparing tactically with the team”.
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World No. 1 Djokovic progressed through to the final after overcoming Tomas Berdych in a bruising encounter, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3).
