7:20 AM
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ABU DHABI: World No. 1 Rafael Nadal claimed his first title of the year when he battled past Swiss ace Roger Federer to win the Mubadala world tennis championship exhibition tournament here.
The Spaniard needed two tie-breaks before coming through 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) against world No. 2 Federer.
Swede Robin Soderling won his third-place playoff against Czech Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-6 (3).
Swede Robin Soderling won his third-place playoff against Czech Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-6 (3).
Nadal will begin the new season which starts at the Qatar Open here on Monday on a high after beating rival Roger Federer in the final of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
The Spaniard arrives in Doha head and shoulders above the rest of field, more than 3,000 points ahead of world No. 2 Federer and with three of the last four Grand Slam titles under his belt.
And the two are set to meet again next week when they are the top two seeds at the Qatar Open, which marks the start of the new season.
“For both of us, these are the first matches of the season. So it is special for us,” said Nadal after his win in Abu Dhabi.
Federer, who has come into the new year with a fresh mindset as he works with new coach Paul Annacone, is bidding for his third title in Doha after winning back-to-back trophies in 2005 and 2006.
“Rafael and myself must have played so many times and so many times it has come down to a few shots here and there. He is an amazing shot-maker. Me as well, but today he got the better of me,” said Federer.
Federer appointed Annacone, who steered Pete Sampras to nine of his 14 Grand Slam titles, after losing his Wimbledon title, as he bids to regain the world No. 1 ranking he once held for a record 237 consecutive weeks.
The Spaniard arrives in Doha head and shoulders above the rest of field, more than 3,000 points ahead of world No. 2 Federer and with three of the last four Grand Slam titles under his belt.
And the two are set to meet again next week when they are the top two seeds at the Qatar Open, which marks the start of the new season.
“For both of us, these are the first matches of the season. So it is special for us,” said Nadal after his win in Abu Dhabi.
Federer, who has come into the new year with a fresh mindset as he works with new coach Paul Annacone, is bidding for his third title in Doha after winning back-to-back trophies in 2005 and 2006.
“Rafael and myself must have played so many times and so many times it has come down to a few shots here and there. He is an amazing shot-maker. Me as well, but today he got the better of me,” said Federer.
Federer appointed Annacone, who steered Pete Sampras to nine of his 14 Grand Slam titles, after losing his Wimbledon title, as he bids to regain the world No. 1 ranking he once held for a record 237 consecutive weeks.
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