Rafael Nadal begins the defence of his Mubadala World Tennis title with a semi-final clash against David Ferrer on Friday.
Nadal has a fine record in Abu Dhabi, reaching the final of the inaugural event two years ago and defeating Roger Federer to win the title last year. However this year's field is the strongest yet with four of the world's top five and Nadal faces an extremely tough task to repeat his achievements.
Nadal only decided on Monday that he would definitely compete in Abu Dhabi this year and once again there are serious question marks over his fitness. The Spaniard is still struggling with the shoulder injury which affected him at the ATP World Tour Finals and he plans to take February off to rest it.
However Nadal has a fairly intense schedule for the rest of January. He's competing in Doha next week and then he heads to Melbourne to try and win a second Australian Open title.
Ferrer knocked him out in the Aussie Open quarters last year and the tenacious world number five will be fancying his chances today. He was at his dogged best on Thursday to see off Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a pulsating three setter - 2-6, 7-6, 6-2.
Prediction: Ferrer to pull off the upset in straight sets.
