Davydenko beats Federer to face Nadal in Qatar Open final

Davydenko beats Federer to face Nadal in Qatar Open final

Russia's Nikolay Davydenko returns a shot to Roger Federer of Switzerland during their semi-final match at the Qatar Open tennis tournament in Doha January 8, 2010.

DOHA, Jan. 8 -- Russian Nikolay Davydenko justified his win over Swiss Roger Federer last year by beating the world number one again 6-4 and 6-4 here on Friday to reach the Qatar Open tennis tournament final.

The third seed, who beat the Swiss in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals in November, repeated the feat to progress to Saturday's final where he will face world number two Rafael Nadal of Spain.

"I'd beaten him once, so I knew I could beat him again. I concentrated more on baseline and serves," said Davydenko, who has lost 12 times to Federer.

Federer committed 37 unforced errors and had no answer to many of the world number six's cross-court shots.

"He deserved the lead, held it and finished the game. It isn't that I played too badly, but he played better," said Federer.

In the other semifinal, Nadal defeated Serbian fifth seed Viktor Troicki 6-1 and 6-3.

"It's very important to reach the final. That shows my preparations for the title defence in Australia are right on track," said Nadal.

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot to Russia's Nikolay Davydenko during their semi-final match at the Qatar Open tennis tournament in Doha January 8, 2010.
(Reuters)