Roger Federer in top form to take title in Qatar

World No.2 Roger Federer began his season in formidable fashion by defeating holder Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-4 to win the Qatar Open yesterday.

The 16-times grand slam champion proved too much for his Russian opponent, claiming a break of serve in each set to win at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in central Doha.

Federer improved throughout his five matches of the week in Qatar, where he did not drop a set, and sealed victory in 79 minutes when Davydenko netted an attempted backhand pass to huge cheers from a capacity crowd.

It was a 67th career title for the 29-year-old, who served impeccably throughout, dropping just nine points on his serve as he demonstrated his solid form ahead of the season's first grand slam, the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne a week tomorrow.

"I'm very happy to kick-off the season this way I think I played an amazing match, it will give me a lot of confidence for the remainder of the season," Federer said.

l John Isner inspired the United States to Hopman Cup glory yesterday as they beat Belgium 2-1 to win the mixed team event for the sixth time. The world No.19 crushed Ruben Bemelmans 6-3, 6-4 to level the tie after Bethanie Mattek-Sands had been beaten 7-6, 6-3 by former world No.1 Justine Henin in the opening match.

Isner then joined forces with Mattek-Sands to win the deciding mixed doubles 6-1, 6-3 to give the United States a well-deserved victory.

Belgium had been promoted to the final after an injury to Ana Ivanovic meant that group winners Serbia had to withdraw from the event on Friday.

l Top seed Robin Soderling was due to meet defending champion Andy Roddick in the final of the Brisbane International after repelling a fightback from former title holder Radek Stepanek 6-3, 7-5 yesterday.

American Roddick later outgunned the 6ft 8in Kevin Anderson 6-2 4-6 6-2 in a battle of big servers in their semi-final to reach the final for a second successive year.

l Unheralded Greta Arn completed her giant-killing run and claimed her second WTA Tour title when she beat champion and second seed Yanina Wickmayer 6-3, 6-3 in the Auckland Classic final yesterday.

The 31-year-old Hungarian, who had expected to arrive in Auckland and play qualifiers before a raft of withdrawals promoted her into the main draw, had earlier knocked out three other seeded players on her way to the final.