TENNIS:Rafael Nadal's Australian Open preparations hit a stumbling block today when he was beaten 6-4 6-4 by Frenchman Gael Monfils in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open. The world number one was hoping to get some match practice before the season's opening grand slam after being injured during the final stages of the 2008 season.
However, his stay in Doha lasted only three matches after he was outclassed by Monfils, who will face American Andy Roddick in the semi-finals. Roddick beat Romania's Victor Hanescu 6-3 6-2 earlier on Thursday.
World number two Roger Federer of Switzerland also moved into the semi-finals with a 6-2 7-6 victory over eighth-seeded German Philipp Kohlschreiber.
The second-seeded Federer will next play Andy Murray after the defending champion beat Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4 6-2.
Murray beat Federer last week in the semi-finals of the World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi. The pair have faced each other five times in the last year, with Murray winning four of those matches but losing the most high-profile one - the US Open final.
Fifth seed Monfils secured his first win over Nadal in four attempts, mixing up his game and not allowing the Spaniard to get into any rhythm.
The pair swapped breaks in the opening set before Nadal was broken again in the 10th game to hand Monfils the opening set. The crucial moment of the second set again came in the 10th game when Monfils broke the Spaniard to clinch the match.
"I played my natural game. Rafa is Rafa but I am strong believer in the fact that I can compete hard," said a beaming Monfils. "It was a perfect start today and I was so focused. I tried to focus on every point," he added.
Nadal was gracious in defeat and insisted he will be training hard ahead of the Australian Open on January 19th.
"I didn't play my best. I had a chance in the first set but he played well," said Nadal. "He was very aggressive and he served very well.
"It is not easy in the beginning of the year. I will be in Doha for a few more days and will be training hard," he added.