Roger Federer Victorious In Doha

Roger Federer made the perfect start to the official 2011 season as he saw off Nikolay Davydenko to lift the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.

The second seed and world number two looks to be in great form as the Australian Open draws closer, the first Grand Slam of the year gets underway 17th January, as he claimed the Doha title for a third time.

He denied Davydenko the chance to defend his title as he claimed his sixty seventh career title with his latest win.

Federer broke his Russian opponent early and soon sprinted to a 3-0 lead in the opening set. The pressure was all on Davydenko as he had to save another six break points as Federer took the first set 6-3.

The second set was a much closer affair as Davydenko seemed to settle into the match, the first eight games went with serve.

But it was Federer who struck first as he took the first break point chance that came his way in the ninth game to edge ahead 5-4.

This left him to serve out the match - an opportunity that he didn’t let slip by as he wrapped up a routine win 6-3 6-4 to claim the title.

Speaking to the ATP after the match Federer said: "This is important to do well here. I'm not just using this to get ready for the Australian Open.

“This is a pleasure coming to this part of the world where I actually do spend quite a bit of time, and I've always had good friends here in Qatar. I love playing here, been successful here in the past."

Federer will now head into the Australian Open in a confident mood having won in Doha and reached the final of the Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament, losing in the final to Rafael Nadal.

Federer is the defending champion in Melbourne and is looking to win his seventeenth Grand Slam title.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw