Djokovic to play Nadal in final of Qatar Open

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.

The second-seeded Spaniard got through Marchenko 6-3, 6-4 in just one hour and 17 minutes thanks in part to a convincing performance on serve.

Agassi was aged thirty two when he won his eighth and final Grand Slam in 2003; Djokovic is already on ten and looks set to win several more for at least for a few years yet. The 20th-ranked Austrian punched his ticket to the last four with victories over James Duckworth, Denis Kudla, and Marin Cilic-two of which required three sets (vs. Duckworth and Cilic). It was the 47th meeting between the two, with both having split equal number of victories before last night’s final.

Djokovic agreed with his rival’s praise. In his own words, Djokovic played a “perfect match”.

By now, Djokovic-Nadal matches were must-see affairs and this one did not let anybody down.

“Well, for the match is easy to analyse”, Nadal told reporters.

“I played very much flawless tennis today from the very beginning”, Djokovic said.

“Every time we play against each other there’s a lot at stake regardless of where we play”, Djokovic said. “The way I played today gives me a great deal of confidence and satisfaction to play against Rafa for the trophy”.

This marked Djokovic’s 16th straight final – and 12th title – since he lost in the Qatar Open quarterfinals previous year. “Since I know this sport I never saw somebody playing at this level”. Whenever [my son] is awake I try to be helpful to my wife and spend time with him.

This time a year ago, Djokovic bounced back from his Doha loss to begin that all-conquering season with a fifth Australian Open title. And he went about his business in style.

Djokovic though was relentless in the tie-break, breaking Berdych’s first serve and ended up winning the decider 7/3. The World No1 was hitting deep on the baseline and the length of his groundstrokes was more or less faultless, opening up space to hit winners with Nadal made to run from one end to another.

Federer left his opponent and the center court crowd stunned as he charged to a 5-0 lead Pat Rafter Arena before encountering stiffer resistance from his 22-year-old opponent as the match progressed at the Australian Open warmup. Djokovic’s victor output exceeded the total points Nadal won (13) in the first set.

Djokovic could hardly be in better shape as he prepares to go in search of a sixth Australian Open title – and 11th grand slam – at Melbourne Park later this month.

Nadal’s serve dominated throughout against the player who knocked out the reigning champion and fourth seed David Ferrer in the first round. It is probably impossible. “It’s perfection. When I say flawless, it’s not one thing in particular”. I know him. I know his character and what a fighter and a hard worker he is.

“I don’t think it’s a major concern”. “But my thoughts are only directed to Melbourne and what I need to do there”.

Murray has put extra effort into his preparations this year and arrived in Australia earlier than usual to adjust to conditions.