| Federer wins Qatar Open again(AP)
 Updated: 2006-01-08 13:38
 
 Roger Federer won the Qatar Open for the second straight year Saturday, 
beating French teenager Gael Monfils 6-3, 7-6 (5) in the final. 
 
 
 
 Federer became the first player to 
win consecutive titles in Doha since Stefan Edberg in 1994 and 1995.
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 World number one Switzerland's Roger Federer holds 
 the golden Falcon trophy after beating France's Gael Monfils in their 
 Qatar Open final tennis match in Doha, Qatar, Saturday Jan. 7, 
 2006.[AP] |  "It's a beautiful start to the year, winning a tournament without dropping a 
set," Federer said. "It also shows that the ankle problem I had toward the end 
of the last season is behind me." 
 This was Federer's fifth title in the Middle East — he also won three 
straight Dubai Opens (2003-05). The top-ranked Swiss extended his hardcourt 
winning streak to 45 matches. The Qatar Open was his 43rd career final, of which 
he has won 34. 
 "Playing against someone like Roger Federer is not easy," Monfils said. "I 
had my chance today, but I guess I made a lot of errors. But I have no 
complaints." 
 Federer said he had trouble at first judging the Frenchman's serve. 
 "He has the potential to be in the top 10," Federer said. "But it's a tough 
task and he needs to work hard and be consistent, at least reaching the 
semifinals of some Grand Slam events." 
 "Some of his shots I would say were teasers," he added. "You have to pick the 
right shots when you come in because he moves really fast and hits good passing 
shots." 
 Monfils played with plenty of heart. He broke Federer in the first game and 
held serve to lead 2-0. But Federer broke back in the sixth and eighth games to 
go up 5-3. Federer then held to close the set. 
 In the second set, Federer led 40-15 in the seventh game but couldn't finish 
it off as Monfils forced deuce with inspired play. Monfils then delivered an ace 
and a lob to win the game and lead 4-3. 
 In the 11th game, Federer again had a chance to go a break up after leading 
40-30, but Monfils ripped an ace to go ahead 6-5. Federer then capitalized on 
errors to win his next service game, forcing a tiebreaker. 
 Monfils' powerful serve forced an error by Federer in the tiebreaker. A few 
more mistakes by the Swiss allowed Monfils to lead 5-3, but the defending 
champion responded and evened the score. A smash from near the net sent Federer 
up 6-5, and he completed the match with a stinging forehand. 
 
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