Weary-looking world number one Rafael Nadal was knocked out of the Qatar Open on Friday losing 6-3, 6-2 to defending champion Nikolay Davydenko, who will tackle Roger Federer in Saturday's final. Federer, a former double champion here, made the final by easing past France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-6 (7/2).
Nadal had been struggling with a fever all week in Doha and needed courtside treatment on Friday as he slipped to a 5-0 deficit in the second set. Federer, moving into a high gear for the first time in 2011, reached his seventh final in nine tournaments with his win over Tsonga.
It was an encouraging performance by Federer, who appears to have started the year with a slightly greater attacking emphasis and who answered the challenge superbly when Tsonga began to play close to his dynamic best in the second set. The Frenchman then struck the ball with real flair and had the hint of a chance to turn the match his way when he got to deuce on Federer's serve in the sixth game.
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