Doha Champion – Rafael Nadal

He’s won the doubles title here in Doha three times in six appearances. Tonight, Rafael Nadal finally captured the elusive Qatar ExxonMobil Open singles title. His opponent, Gael Monfils was playing in his third Doha final in seven appearances; but down the stretch, he couldn’t maintain the raw confidence in his shot-making to earn the falcon. Oddly enough, the previous two times Nadal and Monfils played on these courts, Monfils won. The final from Doha: Rafael Nadal def. Gael Monfil 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2.

Rafael Nadal’s road to the title:

def Lukas Rosol 6-2, 7-6(7)
def Tobias Kamke 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3
def Ernests Gulbis 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
def Peter Gojowczyk 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
def Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2

Gael Monfils road to the final:

def Santiago Giraldo 7-6(1), 6-2
def Richard Gasquet 7-5, 6-1
def Daniel Brands 6-4, 7-5
def Florian Mayer 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-4

Look forward to returning to the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in February for the Qatar Total Open, featuring nine of the top-10 players from the WTA. Until then…Congratulations to Rafa and big thanks to the Qatar Tennis Federation.

ALL POSTS FROM THE QATAR EXXON MOBIL OPEN 2014:

Announcer Andy Taylor. Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2014. The Champion Rafael NadalAnnouncer Andy Taylor. Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2014. The FinalistsAnnouncer Andy Taylor. Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2014. Desert Rain Cant Stop RafaAnnouncer Andy Taylor. Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2014. Wild Day of UpsetsAnnouncer Andy Taylor. Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2014. First Round Down in DohaAnnouncer Andy Taylor. Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2014. The Player Dinner GalaAnnouncer Andy Taylor. Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2014. The Draw