Though world number Roger Federer and number two Rafael Nadal each won their matches last Thursday to reach the semifinals at the Qatar Open in Doha, both players traveled different roads though to reach the semifinals.
Federer was given a hard time by Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis to advance in the semifinals. The world number one confidently won the first set. Gulbis won set two, however, after Federer, down 4-5, committed a volley error. It took Federer almost two hours to defeat Gulbis, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
While Federer had to work double time to reach the semis, Nadal barely broke a sweat to reach it. He faced Belgium’s Steve Darcis who was forced to retire during the second set due to a back injury. The match ended 6-1, 2-0, in favor of Nadal.
Nadal said, “I am playing well. There was more confirmation that I am hitting the ball well. I started well and served good. I am in the semifinals without losing a set. I am happy with that.”
When asked what his message is to Darcis is, Nadal said, “I wish him a fast recovery,” adding, “I hope he is fit for the Australian Open.”
Nadal will next play with Serbia’s Viktor Troicki to get to his firs final in Doha.
On the other hand, Federer, who won the Qatar Open in 2006 and 2006, will next play either Nikolay Davydenko or Ivo Karlovic.
Should the two rivals meet again in the Qatar Open finals, it would be their 21st meeting in the court.