Djokovic breezes past Nadal to win Qatar crown — ATP Doha

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were yesterday preparing to meet for the 47th time and play their 24th final against each other after both won their Qatar Open semi-finals on Friday.

Djokovic vs Nadal is slated to start at 6 pm local time (8:30 pm IST, 3 pm GMT).

Marchenko was a surprise 6-3 7-6 (7-3) victor against seventh seed Jeremy Chardy after also beating David Ferrer, while third seed Berdych beat qualifier Kyle Edmund in straight sets, 6-3 6-2.

“I am playing well, and I’m gonna keep working hard to try to be ready for Australia”.

That chance came when Berdych opened the door by botching a simple volley on game point in the sixth game, an error that changed the momentum of the contest and led to Djokovic getting the set back on serve and then winning it a few games later.

Djokovic is coming off a remarkable 2015 season after winning three of four Grand Slam events he participated. “They would be the two main ones for me”. “It’s for every young player an unbelievable experience to play with the probably greatest of all time”, Thiem said. “It always represents a great challenge to play Nadal because of the fact that we have played so many times for the trophies”.

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

The no. 1 seed would go on to take the match 6-1, 6-2 in sensational style, with the likes of Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka – as well as Nadal himself – no doubt shaking in their boots at how well the Serbian had played here.

Marchenko, the world No. 94, was by no means disgraced in his first ever match against Nadal.

Djokovic will next go to the Australian Open to defend his title from January 18. “The way I played today gives me great satisfaction”.

“When I say flawless, it’s not one thing in particular”.

“I know if I’m playing well, I am going to have opportunities”, Nadal said.

“I haven’t dropped a set the entire week”, said Djokovic.

Nadal has not won a set in their last four matches, even at his former strongholds, Roland Garros and Monte Carlo.

He also fired down six aces and hit 16 winners.

Rarely can the current world number five have been beaten so easily, although he tried to remain upbeat, saying he had made “a positive start to the season”. “The second set was very close and it could’ve gone his way”. 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.