Djokovic Crushes Nadal in Qatar to Win ExxonMobil Open

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

World No 3 Federer, who lost to Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon and US Open finals, was also impressed by Djokovic’s obliteration of 14-times grand slam champion Nadal in Doha.

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. I think the two players make for an interesting and fitting comparison.

Murray, who’s wife Kim is expected to give birth to the couple’s first child in February, was runner-up to Djokovic a year ago, falling in the final in four sets.

In the process, Djokovic won his sixth consecutive ATP World Tour title and became the 10th player to achieve the 60-titles milestone.

He posted 30 winners to only nine for Nadal in the 73-minute match.

When these two met at Roland Garros in 2013, another classic ensued – one which had remarkably similar traits to the pair’s 2012 Australian Open clash. Nadal, after being ordered around the baseline by the world No.1, ensured a successive break would not be on the cards when he rallied to win only his second game of the last ten. When I say ideal, it’s not one thing in particular.

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. “It’s always a great challenge to play him on any surface in any city, the rivalry goes on”. The Spaniard dropped just four points on his first serve, saved the solitary break point he faced, fired six aces, no double faults, 16 winners against 13 unforced and was at no point out of control. It was 6-1 in no time and the set was in Djokovic’s pocket. Any shot I did just felt so comfortable.

Djokovic took a few rallies to warm up-the first game comprised 10 points-and Nadal grabbed the initiative against the Serb’s serve to bring up an immediate break point.

Nadal revealed: “Well, for me the match is easy to analyse”. But I missed a little of 2015, but my level picked up later in the season and I’ve started this year well.

It will be Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Saturday. “I know that it can’t go forever, but I’m not thinking too much ahead of myself”.

“I guess it’s a pretty important match tomorrow”.