07 January,2011 09:08 AM IST | | AFP
Rafael Nadal may be unwell and unfit but he believes he willu00a0 be ready to take on his semi-final opponent Russian Nikolay Davydenko, the defending champion from Russia here at the Qatar Open.
Davydenko beat Nadal in a sensational final last year, losing the first set to love and saving two match points in the process. However, this time round, Nadal stressed: "I will be ready for him this time."
Yesterday, Nadal overcame Ernests Gulbis and his continuing bout of fever with a courageous performance to reach the semi-finals of the Qatar Open last night. Nadal won 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 over Gulbis.
After relinquishing a 3-1 lead in the first set there seemed to be doubts about whether Nadal, who has been on antibiotics, would last if it developed into a long tough tussle.
Nadal called for the doctor, apparently feeling unwell.
He was told to drink more and that if he didn't feel better soon he might have to think about whether or not he wanted to continue. That caused Nadal to call out rather alarmingly 'water, water, water', but although his performance remained below par, he always seemed the likely winner after surviving the tie-breaker.
The highlight of his effort was a brilliant plunging volley from a fierce passing shot by Gulbis at 30-40 in the sixth game of the second set.
