Federer Does it in Doha—Nathan’s Blog

Written by: Staff on 3rd January 2012

Federer Does it in Doha—Nathan’s Blog |

By: Nathan M. Cuny

Roger Federer drew Nikolay Davydenko for the first round tie of 2012’s Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The defending champion defeated Davydenko during the 2011 Qatar finals, 6-3, 6-4, winning the tournament for the third time. On Tuesday, January 3^rd, the champ did it again defeating Nikolay Davydenko 6-2, 6-2.

Prior to the match Federer felt little of the pressure a defending champion normally would, stating, “There is a bit of pressure on my shoulders being the defending champion. But I’ve been in this situation many times before, so I hope it goes well.” As Federer hoped the match went spectacularly to his whims finishing it within 54 minutes.

Federer began the first round match by breaking Davydenko’s serve at love, converting an insurance break in the seventh game of the first set, and finishing it by slamming 90 percent of his first serves in play. The second set proved equally in Federer’s favor as Davydenko committed three double faults at the start of the second set. Davydenko held in the seventh game of the second set but could not hold on long as Federer clinched the game.

The world No.41 Davydenko has lost 16 out of 18 times against Federer. Even with so many losses against Federer his two wins have been phenomenal. One of Davydenko’s two wins against Federer occurred during the 2009 ATP World Tour Finals, where he defeated Federer 6-2, 4-6, 7-5. After he defeated Federer Davydenko moved on to win the ATP World Tour Finals tournament. At his career high the 30 year old Russian held Federer’s current spot as No.3, in 2006.

Following the match against Davydenko, Federer stated, “I played aggressively, served well and had good movement.” Federer’s Tuesday win makes it the 18^th in his current winning streak. As the defending champion Federer hopes he will win the Qatar ExxonMobil Open making it his 4^th straight title after triumphing at the Swiss Indoors Basel, BNP Paribas Masters, and Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

Federer is hopeful about the new season but also knows defending his title won’t be simple. Before Tuesdays match Federer commented, “I am feeling good. I had a great end to the season last year and I usually have a good start to the next season as well. Then again, the player field is really tough here. Like in past years, Doha is able to get the top players to come.”

Federer faces Grega Zemlja in the second round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. Zemlja qualified after a rough start against wild card Sergei Bubka, defeating him, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. You can catch Federer playing Zemlja on center court, Wednesday the 4^th. Federer vs. Zemlja is the third match after 3:30 PM directly following Nadal vs. Gremelmayr.

Topics: Qatar ExxonMobil Open, Roger Federer