Top-ranked Roger Federer defeated Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-4 on Friday to reach the final of the Qatar Open.

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Nikolay Davydenko of Russia during their ATP Qatar Open semi final match in Doha January 7, 2005. Federerwon the match 6-3 6-4.

Federer was again impressive but in a different way. Even though he was sometimes below his best, he always controlled the match and made only a positive analysis afterwards.

The victory was Federer's 43rd in 45 matches, and gave him a chance of extending his long winning streak in finals. "I lost in the quarter-finals when I last came to Doha two years ago, but I have won my last 13 finals and I expect to win this one," he said.

Federer has won all three of his matches here with ease, and defeated Davydenko in 64 minutes.

Federer said Davydenko made him work for his victory, and says he's ready for another tournament win.

Federer however will face a man who has won three of their six encounters, Ivan Ljubicic, the sixth seed from Croatia. Ljubicic reached the final for the second successive year in Doha by winning 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) against Albert Costa, the former French Open (news - web sites) champion from Spain.

Source: Xinhua