DOHA, Qatar – Sixth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko of Russia on Friday beat top seed Roger Federer in straight sets to reach the final of the Qatar Open.
Davydenko, who beat Federer at the season-ending championships in London less than two months ago, again beat Federer, 6-4, 6-4, in one hour 20 minutes.
It was Davydenko’s second win over Federer in 14 meetings on the ATP Tour and the Russian’s first in straight sets over the top-ranked player.
“It was a tough match. A lot of balls everywhere. He tried to create pressure but I came up with winners when I wanted to,” Davydenko said. “I ran a lot and that made me tired, especially in the second set. But I fought for every point. That’s why I won.
“I don’t know for how much longer I can hold this level of tennis.”
Davydenko will meet second-ranked Rafael Nadal of Spain in the final on Saturday.
On Friday, No. 2 seed Nadal crushed fifth-seeded Viktor Troicki of Serbia, 6-1, 6-3. (AP)