Novak Djokovic crushes Rafael Nadal to start new year with Doha title

Nadal will face either top-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia or third-seeded Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in the final – his first on a hard court since he won the 2014 Qatar Open title.

Although Nadal held his next serve, Djokovic served out to win the game and seal victory i n their 47th ATP World Tour meeting – and go 24-23 ahead.

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.

An awed Nadal described Djokovic’s performance in the Qatar final as “perfection” and the highlights reel has been sober viewing for the Serb’s top rivals warming up in Australia.

Andy Murray and Roger Federer are certain that Novak Djokovic is the favourite for the Australian Open after his crushing victory over Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic continued from where he left in 2015, when he won three Grand Slams, six Masters titles and finished 82-6.

Gracious in defeat, Rafa spoke after the match, labelling the world No. 1 as “perfection”.

Djokovic’s fine form would continue right at the beginning of the second, as he instantly broke in the first game of the match to grab yet another advantage.

Having been overwhelmed by the world number one’s intensity and aggression, a stunned Nadal said: “I don’t know anybody who played tennis like this ever”.

Djokovic erased memories of a quarterfinal exit in Doha previous year, capturing his sixth consecutive ATP World Tour title and 60th overall at the tour level.

“I’m going to try to manage the energy in the days to come and work on certain specific things, but I’m ready for the competition”. Nadal has not won a set in their last four matches, even at his former strongholds, Roland Garros and Monte Carlo. The second seed didn’t strike the ball poorly in the set; a commanding Djokovic was timing the ball so cleanly, he denied Nadal opportunity to operate.

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.

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

He draws level with Andre Agassi in a tie for ninth.

“I’m playing the tennis of my life and I will try to nurture and cherish those moments on the court”, he added. “I played like I wanted to”.

Banging an ace to close an immaculate set of shot-making, Djokovic delivered 16 winners against just four unforced errors blitzing through the opener in 31 minutes.