Roger Federer Routs Nikolay Davydenko To Claim Doha Crown

Lauren LynchJan 10, 2011

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Roger Federer began the 2011 season Saturday the same way he wrapped up 2010. By making another highly regarded player look silly.

The No. 2 player in the world schooled Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-4 to win the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, the 67th title of his career and his first at Doha since 2006.

In six appearances at the Middle Eastern tournament, Federer has compiled a 23-3 record and won three titles. The win also gave Federer 11 straight years with at least one ATP tournament title.

The Swiss was meticulous on second serves, winning 13 of 17 while successfully winning 18 of 26 second-return points.

It was a disappointing finish for Davydenko, the No. 4 seed who thrashed No. 1 Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals. Davydenko won the tournament last year, taking down Nadal in a wild final, 0-6, 7-6(10-8), 6-4.

Until matching shots with Federer, Davydenko had not lost a set while Federer didn't lose one for the entire tournament. Ranked No. 6 in the world at this time last year, Davydenko has fallen to No. 22 and will lose points in the first ranking of 2011 since he did not defend his title.

Meanwhile, Federer begins his quest to chip away at Nadal's substantial 3,305-point lead in the overall rankings for No. 1. This weekend's results allow Federer to narrow the gap by 220 points.