Qatar Open: FedEx-Rafa Final Looking Likely

With the ranking system changing last year, every player needs to play 18 events through the course of the year. This has ensured that even the little, not so noticeable, ATP World Tour 250 tournaments get some attention with the stars playing at least some of them. Soderling played the Chennai Open, while Rafa and Federer started their campaign with the Qatar Open. Good news for all the tennis fans, as there will more appearances of their favorite players on the tour.

Getting off to a good start in the first round of the Qatar Open, both Federer and Nadal were looking good in their first tournament of the year. Competing for the number 1 world ranking, both these will have a grueling season. In just a couple of weeks, Federer will look to getting back the Australian Open Trophy that Nadal took from him last year, while Nadal will look at keeping it.

And the way things are progressing at the Qatar Open, a Federer-Nadal final is looking more and more likely as these two advance through the rounds. However, Nikolay Davydenko, winner of the 2009 year ending Barclay's ATP Finals, might just be the one to rain on the Federer-Nadal final possibility. A straight set win over Marco Chiudinelli does not say much, but the Russian has earlier proved that he can take on big names and emerge the winner.

Federer, who played Russian Evgeny Korolev in the second round, needed just over an hour to achieve a straight set victory, while Nadal, who played Italian Potito Starace, also notched up his second straight set victory of the tournament. Federer's post match comments seem to indicate that he is not only set to win the Qatar Open, but is also all set to get back his Australian Open crown. He told reporters, "This was a more dangerous match than my first one because he is a big ball striker and plays aggressive on forehand and backhand. Conditions were difficult today, it was very slow out there and I had to be patient and grind it out, so I was happy with the way I adapted and with the way the match went." Indeed, all of Federer's fans must be happy as well, and most of them are looking for him to extend his lead of Grand Slam crowns this year.

Nadal, who had a dismal 2009 in spite of remaining number 2 in the world, was also happy with his victory. Injuries have made him a shadow of the player he once was, but these victories, along with his Davis Cup victories, seem to suggest that he is returning to the form that saw him win 4 consecutive French Open crowns. "I've been playing well lately. Today's victory underlines that I'm in very good form. Potito has always been a tough opponent for me," was what Rafa had to say post match.

Federer-Nadal finals have always been the most exciting finals to watch, and with things heating up at the first tournament of the year itself, it just shows how competitive the 2010 season is going to be. For the time being, the Qatar Open is where the action is, and in the third round match ups, Federer will play Ernest Gulbis, a formidable opponent, while Nadal will play Steve Darcis, a qualifier. Stay tuned...