Friday in Doha started with the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2014 Men’s Doubles Final featuring the tournament’s #1-seeds Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares vs. Tomas Berdych and Jan Hajek. Though the Austrian and Brazilian were heavily favored, the Czechs pulled-off an easy straight sets win behind Tomas Berdych’s serve.
After I completely butchered the trophy presentation…it was time for the Mens’ Singles Semifinals, with Rafael Nadal vs. Peter Gojowczyk and Gael Monfils vs. Florian Mayer. Shockingly, at the first sit-down, Rafa hadn’t won a game. Gojowczyk came out firing and was on-top 3-0. The German qualifier would go on to win the first set 6-4, but Rafa’s experience and sheer determination proved too much for Gojowczyk, who only won five more games the rests of the way. Gojo should be thrilled with his play here in Doha, reaching his first ATP World Tour Semifinal after playing through the draw. Nadal is just one win away from gnawing on his first trophy here in Doha.
If Gael Monfils could transport these Doha courts to each every tournament, he’d be the uncontested world #1. He had no trouble with Florian Mayer, dispatching the German 6-3, 6-2. The Frenchman will now get his shot at Rafa starting at 6:00p local time here in Doha. Monfils has reached the finals here twice before, in 2006 and 2012, but has yet to the win the title. Interesting statistic: These two have played ten times now. Monfils record is 2-8 against Rafa. Those two wins over Nadal…came here in Doha (2009-QF, 2012-SF).
SCORES – Singles Quarterfinals
[1] R Nadal (ESP) d [Q] P Gojowczyk (GER) 46 62 63
G Monfils (FRA) d F Mayer (GER) 63 62
SCORES – Doubles Final
T Berdych (CZE) / J Hajek (CZE) d [1] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) 62 64
