Djokovic to play Nadal in Qatar final

“It’s a final so you fight for the trophy”.

“I’m not going to tell you too much, but it was tough in a way”, Federer said of his illness, knowing the Australian Open starts January 18. This one may “only” have lasted four hours and 37 minutes but the rallies were again to be marvelled at, while a final set again featured a twist and a possible moment of regret.

Djokovic and Nadal are tied at 23 matches apiece in their career head-to-head. Djokovic’s victor output exceeded the total points Nadal won (13) in the first set.

Djokovic booked his place in the final by defeating third seed Tomas Berdych in straights.

However, he held his serve and then won the next four games in typical fashion to take the first set.

Djokovic continued to apply pressure on Nadal, suffocating the Spaniard from the baseline with a ruthless display of aggression.

The win sets up a semifinal match with Austrian Dominic Thiem while the man he beat in last year’s final, Milos Raonic, takes on Bernard Tomic in the other semifinal on Saturday.

Afterward he admitted he had a slight concern over an arm injury which has required attention from a physio but added that he didn’t think “it’s a major concern”.

“I played against a player who did everything flawless”.

“The way I played today gives me great satisfaction”. It was clear from the outset that it would be a lengthy affair and although Nadal started the better, it was his nemesis who managed to grab the lead by battling back and winning the third.

At 24-23, Djokovic holds a career edge against the Spaniard for the first time.

He hit 30 winners, forced seven break points and faced only one himself, which, predictably, he saved.

Marchenko, the world No. 94, was by no means disgraced in his first ever match against Nadal. Since I know this sport I never saw somebody playing at this level.

He may be consoled by one of the biggest pay days of his career, $57,380 (52,715 euros).

‘To some extent it’s surprising for sure, ‘ the 34-year-old Swiss star said of the manner Djokovic won.

The British world no. 2 is a $7.00 favourite to capture an elusive Australian Open championship over the next fortnight.

There can be little doubt that the second half of 2015 required an enormous effort from Murray as he steered Great Britain to their first Davis Cup title since 1936. The World No. 1 retained his serve to go 2-0 up.

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.

It was the dream final, and all the more highly anticipated for coming in the first full week of the new season: Indeed this would be the first ATP title handed out in 2016.. Australia’s top ranked player and projected 16th seed Bernard Tomic is at $101.