Rafael Nadal takes on Nikolay Davydenko in a repeat of last year's Doha final.
That was a bizarre match which saw Davydenko bagelled in the first set before drawing on all his reserves of fighting spirit to win the match in three. Returning as defending champion, it looks like his game has clicked into gear after an injury-disrupted 2010.
His returning skills were pushed to the limit by Ivo Karlovic in the quarters but Davydenko remained as solid as ever and pounced on the chances when they came, to progress 6-3, 7-5.
Nadal has been keeping a close eye on his opponent and has been suitably impressed. "I think he's playing unbelievable, so it's gonna be a very difficult match," Nadal said. "I'm gonna try my best tomorrow, and I know it's gonna be a real difficult match. We will see what's going on, what happens, and hopefully I feel good physically tomorrow."
The Spaniard has been struggling all week with a fever and he was below par during his 7-6, 6-3 win over Ernests Gulbis, admitting he felt dizzy at times in the first set.
Nadal has found Davydenko a very difficult opponent in the past and the Russian is one of the few players on tour with a superior head-to-head record against the world number one, leading 5-4. Davydenko has actually won their last three matches with straight sets wins in the Shanghai Masters and the ATP World Finals at the end of 2009.
