Rafael Nadal fell in the semifinals in Doha to Frenchman Gael Monfils (6-3, 6-4) , who will face the final against compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Tsonga benefited from the absence of Roger Federer back discomfort.
Nothing was as expected at the tournament in Doha, first year, he longed for a title fight between Spanish and Swiss, three-time champion. First left and then Federer, Nadal does not meet expectations. The Spaniard conceded his first official course backwards and now I think the Australia Open, which begins on day 16. "No luck today, Monfils played better. Now to prepare my trip to Melbourne, where he will continue with the set-up," said the Spaniard on Twitter.
The Spanish is still filming. Profile yet both their physical and acclimation to certain variations in their game, including the change of racket. The Spaniard tennis player, finalist in 2010, when he lost to Davydenko, could not stop the good tennis Monfils, especially in the first set. Of the nine previous meetings, Nadal had lost only one. It was also in Doha, in the quarterfinals of the 2009 edition.
Nadal opportunities available in the second round. After breaking in the second game of the Frenchman's serve for the first time, came to take a 4-1 lead. Monfils, which was a finalist in 2006, reacted. He achieved a partial 5-0 to turn the situation and end the game. There will be French final in Doha for the first time in tournament history. Monfils will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who had to play to stand as a candidate for the title.
"I do not make a bad game. In the second set I started to do things. I did what I have to do to win a match against Monfils," said Nadal after the match. However, he admitted that in the final stretch was not at a high level. "I did not play very well after the game. I also had some bad luck at some crucial points. He failed in some movements of the end. He was better than me and I congratulate you," he said.
However, Nadal acknowledged that Australia faces Open "very happy" for his performance in Qatar. " I think I played a great tournament, I played more aggressive than normal , even though it is perhaps right. needed to be a little more consistent, but I'm doing things I have to do to compete with the best in the world, "he said. Nadal believes the change helps racket "to hit the ball longer in service." "I have to keep working like this, and I think it's the right way to win in the future," he said.
