Tennis Update: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer to open 2011 season at Doha
The speculations for Rafael Nadal’s and Roger Federer’s 2011 season opener were finally put to rest when the top two announced their participation in the ATP 250 event at Doha. The third event of the regular ATP season, the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at Doha
will be held from 3rd Jan to 8th Jan at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex.
With so little yet truly exhilarating action between the top two in 2010, the fans are in for an early treat in 2011 as the two confirmed their participation in the Doha event. Having met only twice in 2010, the Nadal Federer rivalry drew to a level 1-1
close in their season head to head.
Having met in the Madrid Masters, Nadal defeated Federer in the finals to win his second of seven 2010 titles. The pair then met in the season finale event, where Federer defeated Nadal to win the event title. With such excitement witnessed in London only
last month, the expected Nadal Federer clash at Doha is bound to be a high point of the event.
Talking about the top two at Doha, President of Qatar Tennis Foundation Nasser Al Khelaifi said, “The presence of Nadal and Federer in Doha will give a distinct character for the 2011 Qatar ExxonMobil Tennis Open, especially after the thrilling rivalry between
the two superstars during the 2010 season."
Tournament Director Karim Al Alami added, "the participation of Federer and Nadal in the Qatar ExxonMobil Tennis Open reflects the importance of the tournament that comes as a perfect preparation for the Australian Open.”
Ending 2010 ranked first in the world, Nadal looks to strengthen this standing in 2011 and hopes a title win at Doha will be his first step. He was a finalist at the 2010 Doha event, losing the title to Nikolay Davydenko. The Spaniard finished 2010 with
title wins at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, United States Open, Monte- Carlo Masters, Madrid Masters, Rome Masters and Tokyo. A title win at the U.S. Open completed his Career Golden Slam making him only the second male after Andre Agassi to do so. Hoping to keep
the top position, Nadal looks to defend his Grand Slam titles in 2011.
A tumultuous season for the Swiss, Federer dropped down to as low as three in the world rankings at one point during the season. However, with five title wins and a win loss mark of 65-13 Federer managed to end the season as world number two. Seeded first
in the 2010 Doha event, 05-06 titlist Federer was ousted in the semis by Davydenko. Winning a title at the Australian Open, at the Cincinnati Masters, at Basel and at Stockholm; Federer ended his season on a high note by winning the title at the season finale
event in London. Looking to reclaim the world number one ranking again, Federer hopes to win Grand Slams in 2011.
Other notable names competing at the event include Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, defending champion Nikolay Davydenko, 2010 Davis Cup hero Viktor Troicki and Ernests Gulbis.
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