Aussie Open boost for Soderling, Federer
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Top-seeded Robin Soderling beat defending champion Andy Roddick 6-3, 7-5 yesterday to win the Brisbane International title in Australia.
Soderling's strong serve and pinpoint return of serve stymied Roddick throughout the match and enabled the Swede to finish the tournament without dropping a set.
"He had a great week, played well today and served too well," Roddick said. "Every time I had a look in, he came up with one of those big serves. I'm usually on this side, but today I was on the other side."
Chair umpire Fergus Murphy called the players off the court after rain blew in through a gap between the stands and the roof. The delay at 4-4 in the second set appeared to be prompted by Roddick slipping on the baseline. During the break, Roddick was heard to tell Murphy: "I am not getting hurt before the (Australian) Open," which begins on January 17.
"I just wanted to make sure we weren't playing on a slippery court," he said later of his spirited conversation with Murphy.
In the women's final on Saturday, Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic beat Andrea Petkovic of Germany 6-1, 6-3.
In Doha, Roger Federer won the Qatar Open without dropping a set when he beat defending champion Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-4 in a 79-minute final on Saturday.
Federer became the first three-time winner in Doha, following titles in 2005 and 2006.
"It is a great start to the new season," Federer told the 8,000 fans at Khalifa Tennis Complex. "I felt great all week here," he added. "I controlled the game from the first set and did well in the second, too."
When asked about his chances at the Australian Open this month, a smiling Federer said, "I am not ready now. I will be when I get there. But obviously, the wins here will help me build my rhythm (in Australia). I don't consider this event as a preparation event. There's a week to go before the Australian Open and that week will be my preparation time."
Davydenko, who beat top-ranked Rafael Nadal in the semifinals and also hadn't dropped a set coming in the final, was attempting to become the first player to beat Nadal and Federer in the same tournament three times.
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