Federer and Nadal in Doha Semis

The two main stars in the ATP tour in the last decade are a match away from meeting up in a final on the first tournament of this new decade. World #1 Roger Federer and #2 Rafael Nadal took separate paths in reaching the semifinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha. Federer took 3 sets to beat talented Latvian Ernests Gulbis before prevailing 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. Nadal advanced to the semifinal round when his Belgian opponent, Steve Darcis, was forced to retire with a back injury. Nadal was leading 6-1, 2-0.

Federer will be facing ATP World Tour Finals champion and world #6 Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in the semifinals. The Russian beat Federer for the first time in 13 matches in the semifinals of the year-ending tournament and would like to repeat again over the Swiss #1. Serbian Viktor Troicki, world #29 and winner of one ATP tournament last year will try to prevent Nadal from reaching his first final of the year. Nadal has the upper hand in their previous matches having beaten Troicki twice in 2008 at Grand Slam tournaments without the loss of a set.

If Federer and Nadal both reach the finals, it will be their 21st career meeting with Nadal holding a 13-7 advantage. Nadal has beaten Federer in 5 of their 6 matches, but it was Federer who won their last match - a straight set victory at a clay tournament in Madrid.