Roger Federer eased past Russia's Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-4 on Friday to reach the final of the Qatar Open, where the world's top-ranked player will meet sixth seed Ivan Ljubicic.
Playing with the kind of sublime form that has brought him three easy victories in previous rounds here in Doha, Swiss top seed Federer defeated Davydenko in 64 minutes.
Federer's semifinal win was his 20th in a row since his second-round ouster from the Athens Olympics last August.
Federer, who hasn't lost a service game during the tournament, said Davydenko made him work for his victory, but he was ready for another tournament win.
ASB Classic
Slovakia's Katarina Srebotnik beat doubles partner Shinbou Asagoe of Japan 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 yesterday to win the ASB Women's Classic final.
The unseeded Srebotnik fought back from a set and 4-0 down to beat the fourth-seeded Asagoe in two hours and 20 minutes for her third WTA title.
The singles finalists later teamed to beat Leanne Baker of New Zealand and Francesca Lubiani of Italy 6-3, 6-3 in the doubles final. The doubles crown was Srebotnik's eighth and Asagoe's sixth.
HK Challenge
Elena Dementieva cruised past defending [champion Venus Williams 6-3 6-2 yesterday to win the Hong Kong's Champions Challenge tennis tournament.
Dementieva of Russia, who is ranked sixth in the world, broke Williams three times in the first set, while losing her service once.
The 24-year-old American put up a stiff fight when 5-2 down in the second set, saving three championship points before losing the match at the Victoria Park tennis court.
It was Dementieva's first win since her victory at Hasselt in Belgium last year, and it boosted her confidence.
"It's really a great start to the year no matter whether it's an exhibition or not. I was trying to play my best and I really did it," said Dementieva.
Before the match, organizers auctioned off rackets belonging to the players, raising HK$1.6 million (US$205,128) for victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster. Sharapova's racket fetched HK$520,000 (US$66,660), while that of Williams got HK$400,000 (US$51,280).
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