Djokovic, Nadal Roll Into Doha Quarterfinals
World number one Novak Djokovic moved into the Qatar Open quarterfinals in Doha on Wednesday, downing Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 6-2.
“I’m very pleased with the way I have started this season, two matches, straight sets,” said Djokovic. “Tonight was tougher than the first round. Obviously I expected that. Verdasco is a former top-10 player, somebody that has a lot of weapons in his game and who can create a lot of power from the forehand side. I wanted to take away the time from him. So I tried to mix it up and I served well in important moments.”
Djokovic saved both of the break points he faced, and converted on four of his eight break chances, two in each set, to cruise in straight sets.
The Serb has now won 17 straight matches against Spaniards. He draws eighth-seed Leonardo Mayer next after Mayer dismissed Pablo Andujar 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday.
Nadal continued to look fresh to start the season as he moved past Robin Haase of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-2 to book his spot in the final eight.
Nadal saved both of the break points he faced and converted 76 percent of his first serves into points.
“I played at a very high level against a player that I think played well for a lot of moments,” said Nadal. “My serve was a little bit worse than yesterday, but in general I am happy with the victory and my level of tennis. I hit my returns with a lot of confidence.”
Up next for Nadal is Russian Andrey Kuznetsov, who ousted Ricardas Berankis 7-6(6), 6-1 on Wednesday.
Third-seed Tomas Berdych made his way into the Doha quarterfinals with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Damir Dzumhur.
The Czech will take on British qualifier Kyle Edmund next.
Edmund reached his first ATP quarterfinal with a 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(3) comeback win over Spain’s Daniel Munoz-De La Nava on Wednesday.
The other quarterfinal in Doha will pit Illy Marchenko against the seventh-seed Jeremy Chardy.
