Novak Djokovic won his first title of 2016 on Saturday (Jan 9), playing “perfect” tennis to thrash arch-rival Rafael Nadal in straight sets during a breathtaking performance in the Qatar Open final.
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2015 was the year for celebrations to Djokovic while it was a year to forget about for Nadal as he failed to win a single grand slam because of his injuries which didn’t let him past it. However, as the last year approached its end, the Spaniard looks like returning to his form.
He will face Nadal on Sunday after the Spaniard reached his 99th ATP final by overcoming Illya Marchenko. “I’m very excited to be back in the final – it’s special playing Milos again tomorrow”, Federer said.
Any notion that Berdych might then roll over in the second set soon faded as the pair held serve, treating fans to high-quality tennis throughout.
Former French Open champion Gaston Gaudio present Djokovic with the winner’s trophy. It can be argued he lost the match mentally for as the decider wore on Djokovic complained bitterly about the slippery state of the court, saying it needed watering on what was a scorching Paris day. I think I played a great third set, because if not, I will not be in that semifinal. I am very grateful to have a start like this in Doha.
Nadal has won 67 career titles, including 14 grand slams.
“Not flawless, obviously. But I did a few good things, and I’m happy with the victory, being in the first final of the season”, said a coy Nadal.
Murray said he had two goals this year, one immediate and the other later in the year, namely the Australian Open – which starts on 18 January – and the defence of his Olympic title.
The final was set when top-seeded Wawrinka defeated Benoit Paire of France 6-4, 6-4, and Coric ruined Aljaz Bedene’s hopes of a repeat of the 2015 final, beating the Briton 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-3 after nearly three hours.
Berdych had a chance to go up a double-break but squandered two break points and it seemed to throw the Czech off as he was broken in game six and Djokovic ran away with the set.
“I played against a player who did everything flawless”, Nadal said. Djokovic is, unfortunately for Nadal, still the man to beat.
This marked Djokovic’s 16th straight final since the Serbian lost in the Qatar Open quarterfinals past year.
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His only loss came to Australian Nick Kyrgios but Murray is confident that by the time he gets going at Melbourne Park, he will be ready to go.
