Roger Federer concluded the 2004 season with a 74-6 record, won 11 titles and became No. 1 in February after his first Australian Open crown. For the remainder of the season, the Swiss conquered Wimbledon, the US Open and the Masters Cup, competing in just two tournaments after New York, but ending the season with the defense of the title in Houston.
A year later, Roger was confirmed as the leader of the group, repeating those 11 titles and winning 81 of 85 games to stay ahead of his closest rival, Rafael Nadal, in what had been one of the most impressive seasons of the Era. Open.
Roger started the 2005 campaign on January 3 with a dominating 6-1, 6-1 win over David Ferrer in 58 minutes in the Doha first round, setting the tone for the rest of the year after a brilliant performance.
The favorite never faced a break point and stole almost 60% of the points on the return to create seven break point opportunities. Roger converted five to defeat no. 49, who was still far from his best tennis to come in the next few years.
Roger didn’t get off to a perfect start, surviving three deuces before putting his name on the scoreboard in the first game to avoid an early setback. Things were looking a lot better for him no. 1 in Game 2, breaking David’s serve after a setback down the line and overcoming another deuce in Game 3 to cement the lead and move 3-0 up front.
Ferrer held out the next game with a cross backhand before suffering another break at 1-4 following a winning volley from Federer, who served for the set.
Roger Federer needed less than an hour to beat Ferrer in Doha 2005
The Swiss delivered another excellent serve turn with a winning volley to secure the opening set, dominating with his serve and forehand and combining it with a rock-solid performance on the return to leave the opponent far behind.
Ferrer held on early in the second set and doubled on the return in the next game before Roger brought him home with a winning serve to keep his serve intact. The Spaniard made a forehand error to break in the third game and landed another routine backhand to send Roger forward a few minutes later.
Federer’s aggressiveness proved too difficult for Ferrer to handle, who delivered his serve once again at 1-3, pushing Federer closer to the finish line. The Swiss held out in the sixth game after forcing the opponent’s mistake and sealed the deal with another break a few minutes later for the strongest start to the season.
–
