Tennis: Leading players ready to open season in Qatar

Published on Sunday 4 January 2009 20:34

WITH one hoping to retain his No 1 ranking and the other trying to regain it, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will officially open the 2009 season at the Qatar Open. Andy Murray, the pair's nemesis of late, will also be there.

Federer, who needs one more grand slam title to equal the career record of 14 by Pete Sampras, has won the title in Doha twice, in 2005 and 2006. This year, he will face Potito Starace of Italy and could meet Murray in the semi-finals.

"One of my goals this year is to regain the top ranking," said Federer, who beat Murray in the US Open final for his only grand slam title of 2008 but lost to the Scot on Friday at an exhibition tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

Nadal won both the French Open and Wimbledon last season before taking gold at the Beijing Olympics. But he lost to Murray on Saturday in the final of the Capitala World Tennis Championship.

In Doha, Nadal will open against Fabrice Santoro of France. "Happy new year," Santoro said after the draw. "Obviously it will be tough for me. It is not an easy match to start the new season against a player like Nadal. But I will also try to make it difficult for him."

Nadal also has Andy Roddick and Gael Monfils in his half of the draw. Murray faces Albert Montanes of Spain in the first round.

Meanwhile, bookmaker William Hill has cut Murray from 7/2 to 3/1 joint second favourite for the Australian Open, following his victory in Abu Dhabi. Hills now offer 11/10 that Murray gets further than Federer in Australia and Murray is 250/1 to win all four slams in 2009.