Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal reached the Qatar Open semifinals
Thursday.
Federer overcame strong-serving Ernests Gulbis 6-2, 4-6, 6-4,
and Nadal led Steve Darcis 6-1, 2-0 when the Belgian retired
because of a back problems.
In the semifinals Friday, Federer will play third-seeded
Nikolay Davydenko, a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) winner over seventh-seeded
Ivo Karlovic.
Federer broke twice to take the first set with ease, but then
hit two shots long in the 10th game of the second to let the
Latvian even the match.
The players traded breaks to 3-3 in the third before Federer
capitalized on Gulbis' errors in the 10th game to seal the win.
The 90th-ranked Gulbis finished with 13 aces - seven in the
second set - and did enough to impress the top-ranked player in
their first meeting.
"I know that Gulbis is the player with the most potential
right now,'' Federer said. "Unfortunately, he doesn't have the
ranking he deserves. I took him very seriously. I wasn't surprised
by how he played.''
Nadal will face fifth-seeded Viktor Troicki, a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6
(1) winner over Lukasz Kubot.
"I am playing well,'' Nadal said. "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.''
Nadal broke Darcis three times in the first set, and again in
the second game of the final set.
"I wish him a fast recovery,'' Nadal said. "I hope he is fit
for the Australian Open.''
