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1/8/10 4:00 AM | Cheryl Murray
Rafael Nadal will be in action on Friday in Doha against Serbia’s Viktor Troicki. The world No. 2 is looking for his first official title since Rome last spring.
No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal is headed on a collision course with Roger Federer in the finals of Doha. The rivals have not met since the Madrid Masters in May last year. Standing in the way of the dream final, however, is Serbia’s Viktor Troicki.
Nadal has a healthy record against the Serb. The two men have met twice (both in 2008) with Nadal the straight set victor on each occasion.
Troicki’s star is on the rise; the Serb has gradually built up his ranking, and he now sits at No. 29 in the world. He is a tidy hard court player, but he has yet to make a big breakthrough against a top player.
Nadal’s 2009 season fizzled at the end. The Spaniard was able to claw his way into a handful of semifinals and finals, including the US Open, but he spent much of the last quarter of the year injured or recovering from injury.
The Spaniard is back and apparently healthy again – and his level of play shows it. Nadal has zipped through his draw in Doha, not once coming near dropping a set. The world No. 2 also pocketed a trophy at the Abu Dhabi exhibition, where he beat Robin Soderling in straight sets.
Unless Nadal’s suddenly has a notable drop in form, the Spaniard should find his way fairly routinely into Saturday’s final.
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I would say 6-2, 6-4. Rafa is absolutely going to destroy him. Hope Fed wins over Davedenko.
atul1985 , 1/8/10 7:06 AM
I am so pleased that Rafa is on first, hopefully, he'll win and then I will enjoy the Fed/Davy match more.
Vamossssssssssssss!
carrie , 1/8/10 1:22 PM
Rafa's first match against Bolleli was the toughest and Federer's toughest was against Gulbis, now we are at the business end of the tournament and if Rafa and Roger make it to the final, it will be very exciting. All I'll say is I hope Rafa wins, I don't believe in predicting the outcome of any match.
Vamossssssssssssss!
carrie , 1/8/10 1:27 PM
first set Nadal 6-1...what a performance, Forehand, backhand, serve, volley all clicking at the same time. Marvellous
atul1985 , 1/8/10 2:47 PM
i know the opposition is not stern but still this is scary stuff..when nadal is this agressive he is vitually unbeatable. sorry CHERYL and and RICky BUT I COMPLETELY disagree that nadal is FAR from his oz open 09 form! nopes he is abt to get there and as u can see he is getting better betterb and better.serve is working as good as ever and the destruction caused by the forehand is scary.BEWare davy/roger its rafa's title
vamosrafa , 1/8/10 2:59 PM
nadal's quite destructive tonight!! great to have him back :)
mriiidula , 1/8/10 3:07 PM
If Rafa is not yet at his AO 09 form, then there is no hope for anyone if he gets to it before the tournament starts.
carrie , 1/8/10 3:14 PM
apposition not great so really cant say. lets see how he plays Fed or Dave in the finals. if he is able to play like this, then he is well and truly back to his best
atul1985 , 1/8/10 3:15 PM
Rafa through - 6:1 6:3. One half of the duo in the final, we wait and see.
Vamosssssssssssss!
carrie , 1/8/10 3:25 PM
Nadal holds up his end of the bargain
COME ON FEDERER!!!
RickyDimon , 1/8/10 3:25 PM
yes the opposition wasnt great so we cant say much but when nadal is giving drubbings like these he is certainly a man on fire. roger gets one brk back and holds for 2-3 good stuff
vamosrafa , 1/8/10 4:04 PM
IT IS DISSAPOINTING....i was counting on a fed-rafa final to make my weekend special...............but alas..
vrael , 1/8/10 5:28 PM
6-4 6-4 if i play poorly, no?
attackingtennisrulez , 1/8/10 7:16 PM
Looking forward to reading the Pre-match review of the final....?
rafanna , 1/8/10 9:17 PM
attacking whats ur pick on this one?
vamosrafa , 1/8/10 10:08 PM
Viktor Troicki
Rafael Nadal
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6-4 6-4 rafa
vrael , 1/8/10 6:28 AM