  Roger Federer of Switzerland holds the golden eagle trophy after winning the Qatar Open in Doha. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi |
Doha, Qatar - Roger Federer captured his third Doha title on Saturday, beating reigning champion Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets in the championship match of the season-opening $1.11 million Qatar Open, a hardcourt Australian Open tune-up.
Federer needed about 80 minutes to record a 6-3, 6-4 victory at Khalifa Tennis Complex. Federer did not face a break point, winning 40-of-51 service points overall.
Davydenko saved 6-of-8 break points, but the second-seeded Swiss was too much in capturing his 67th career title. Federer also won this event in 2005 and 2006.
The Russian Davydenko, seeded fourth, had ousted world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the semifinals to prevent a Federer-Nadal final, and was aiming for his 21st career title. However, he fell to 2-15 all-time against Federer.
One of Davydenko's wins against Federer came in the semifinals here last year, though Federer went on to win the 2010 Australian Open.
Federer collected $177,000 for Saturday's victory.
