Doha: A bruised and battered Rafael Nadal admitted Novak Djokovic was playing at a level never seen before after suffering a 6-1, 6-2 mauling in the ExxonMobil Qatar Open final on Saturday. The world number one cruised to victory in a match lasting just one hour 13 minutes, capturing his 60th career title and starting 2016 with the same dominance he showed last year when he won three of the four majors and 11 titles in all.
“Well, for the match is easy to analyse,” Nadal told reporters.
“I played against a player who did everything perfect. I know nobody playing tennis like this ever. Since I know this sport I never saw somebody playing at this level.”
Djokovic handed arch-rival Rafael Nadal of Spain one of his worst defeats to win the Qatar ExxonMobil Open title for the first time at a packed Khalifa Tennis Complex.
Saturday’s win was Djokovic’s 16th straight final triumph, pushing his overall stats to 45-6 in his last 51 matches on the ATP Tour.
It was Djokovic’s 12th title win since he lost the quarter-final here last year.
The win also edged Djokovic in front in his head-to-head battle with Nadal with a 24th win in 47 matches.
“It was great to play the final here. I finished 2015 strongly and I have started the new season well. I will fight again and I will keep working hard so that I am ready for Australia,” Nadal added.
Agencies
