For those at the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp, the 2016 final was déjà vu – Roger Federer vs. Milos Raonic. Last year, the Swiss notched his 1000th match win in clinching the title over the Canadian. This time, the 25 year old would turn the tables, exacting revenge 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday.

Federer admitted he was too inconsistent and could not find his rhythm, but acknowledged Raonic’s improved tactics and consistency. For the Swiss, it was a completely different match-up from their 10 previous encounters.

“His consistent power is something that’s so impressive,” said Federer. “The focus he brings to every single serve. I’ve always said it’s amazing that he can do that.

“For a big guy he moves well. He’s improved his fitness the last few years. Also tactically he’s better now than he’s ever been. He’s made a conscious effort of playing close to the baseline, which before when he was working with the Spanish coaches he was way back.

“I think like this it’s more on his racquet and it’s probably not a bad thing. I thought he was playing really good tennis here last year and in also Indian Wells when I played him. I was quite impressed how good he was. Unfortunately he got injured and he had some issue which then didn’t allow him to play anymore since. So it’s a great start for him. I’m very happy for him.”

Never one to make excuses, Federer revealed he has been experiencing a lingering cough and sore throat over the past week. Despite the ailment, he says he is happy to reach the final and kick off the new season with new coach Ivan Ljubicic.

“I’m very happy how the first week went. We just discussed quickly the week. We were both thrilled that I got to play as many matches as I did here this week, because we saw how bad I was doing on Tuesday.

“I’ve still got a cough and the throat is a bit weird. Definitely got to make sure I get over it as quickly as possible. As long as I keep on playing and doing all that stuff it’s not going to go away faster. So I am going to rest up tomorrow. I also have to see, but then probably hit the practice courts again. In practice you can manage how hard you’re going to do it. Obviously health is No. 1 [priority].

“The good thing is the off-season was great. I have a base there, so I think within three to four days I should be back at 100 per cent, if things progress normally, which I think they are now.”

Federer, who appeared in a hard-court final for a record 17th consecutive year, will make a 17th straight appearance at the Australian Open next week. Seeded third, the Swiss is bidding for a fifth title at the first Grand Slam of the year.

Second seeds Henri Kontinen and John Peers capped a dream debut week together as they triumphed at the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp on Sunday. The Finnish/Australian duo defeated Australians James Duckworth and Chris Guccione 7-6(4), 6-1.

Kontinen and Peers prevailed in just 63 minutes, converting three of their nine break points. They have not lost a set in four matches this week, including victory over fourth seeds Dominic Inglot and Robert Lindstedt in the semi-finals.

The 27-year-old Peers lifted the trophy at this ATP World Tour 250 tournament for the second year in a row, having triumphed in 2015 with Jamie Murray. With Murray, Peers went on to reach the finals at Wimbledon and the US Open before the pair ended their partnership with a debut appearance at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

Both Melbourne native Peers and the 25-year-old Kontinen won their seventh ATP World Tour doubles titles. Last year, Kontinen won five titles, three alongside Marin Draganja and two when partnering Treat Huey.

Duckworth and Guccione were contesting their first final together after coming into Brisbane with a 0-4 lifetime record as a team.

The usual suspects were left standing at the business end of this week’s season-opening Qatar ExxonMobil Open. In the final, World No. 5 Rafael Nadal fell to top seed Novak Djokovic, who had beaten World No. 6 Tomas Berdych in the semis.

The fourth semi-finalist? None other than World No. 94 Illya Marchenko. After notching a trio of wins over Top 50 opponents, including a comeback victory against defending champion David Ferrer, Marchenko’s captivating run vaulted him into the spotlight. The Ukrainian’s story of determination and perseverance is equally as intriguing.

“I am from Donetsk and there is a war there,” the 28 year old, who now lives in Slovakia, explained. “It’s not a good situation right now. I haven’t been there for almost two years. It was easy to get residence (in Slovakia) and I have a lot of friends there… My coach (Tibor Toth) is from there. I’m working with him one year already.”

An industrial city in eastern Ukraine, Donetsk is located near the Russian border, which has been a site of great turmoil in the War of Donbass. The conflict originated in early 2014 between separatist forces and goverment loyalists and has prevented Marchenko from returning to his homeland. Despite the issues at home, he says he is focusing fully on his play on the court. His mental approach has not wavered.

“Right now I don’t think about that anymore. I accept the situation what I have and I’m really enjoying living in Slovakia. The people of Slovakia have really welcomed me, and I’m really appreciating everyone. Everyone is really helping me there, so I’m happy and I can focus on my tennis. I have everything to work hard and to get the results.”

Having returned to the semi-finals of an ATP World Tour event for the first time in nearly six years, since St. Petersburg 2010, Marchenko is closing in on his career-high position of World No. 67 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. What started late last year with a run to the second round at the US Open as a qualifier and a title at the Mons Challenger, Marchenko’s surprise result in Doha was in fact anything but an aberration.

“I went to mountains with my fitness coach,” Marchenko said of his off-season training. “Last year it was different. I was with my full team, my tennis coach and my physio. It was a bit kind of investment for me.

“I’m really happy it’s paying off that quick. And that’s it. The rest of the preparation was the same. I was staying at home in Bratislava and I was practising with the same guys. My coach was at every practice with me and I was doing my fitness as usual.

“The way I played this week helped me a lot and I’m gaining confidence match after match.”

Henri Kontinen and John Peers are within striking distance of an ATP World Tour doubles title in their first tournament together after defeating Dominic Inglot and Robert Lindstedt 6-4, 6-3 in the semi-finals of Brisbane on Saturday. The Finnish-Australian partnership did not face a break point and closed out the win after just over an hour.

Standing in their way will be the All-Aussie duo of James Duckworth and Chris Guccione, who advanced to the final without striking a ball after Grigor Dimitrov and Kei Nishikori withdrew due to Dimitrov’s shoulder soreness. Duckworth and Guccione have a chance to score their maiden title in Brisbane after going 0-4 together in previous tournaments.

Paire Gets Second Chance In Chennai

Benoit Paire, who was eliminated in the singles semi-finals earlier on Saturday, will get a second crack at a trophy in Chennai. The Frenchman teamed up with Austin Krajicek to defeat Somdev Devvarman and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan 7-5, 7-6(4) in the doubles semi-finals. They will face third seeds Oliver Marach and Fabrice Martin on Sunday.

Krajicek is making his first ATP World Tour doubles final appearance, while Paire is 1-0 after winning the 2013 Chennai final with Stan Wawrinka, the man who eliminated him from singles contention.

Rafael Nadal was left speechless following a 6-1, 6-2 defeat to Novak Djokovic in the final of the season-opening Qatar ExxonMobil Open.

The 2014 champion has enjoyed great success in Doha over the years, also adding four doubles crowns, but the Spaniard had no answer for the Serb’s suffocating tactics and ruthless display from the baseline. Nadal lauded the World No. 1’s performance as perhaps the greatest he’s ever witnessed.

“The match is easy to analyse,” said Nadal. “I played against a player who did everything perfectly. I don’t know anybody who’s ever played tennis like this. Since I know this sport I’ve never seen somebody playing at this level. So I just congratulate him and that’s it.

“I know I can do a few things better, but the real thing is with these conditions, playing during the night and with the feeling of the ball here, it’s so difficult to have chances against him playing like this. It is probably impossible.

“When somebody is better than you, you accept it and you work to try to improve yourself. That’s it. I am not frustrated. I look at the things very clearly and I am always honest. Today he’s better than me without a doubt.”

“It did feel as close to perfection as it can get,” Djokovic responded, when told of Nadal’s comments. “From the first to the last point I managed to impose my own tactical approach and strategy and what I have prepared myself for, and the conditions were played to my favour… There are those days when you see a tennis ball as a watermelon, and I guess this was that kind of day.” 

Following a disappointing 2015 campaign by the former World No. 1’s standards, Nadal is looking to a fresh start in the new season. Despite the defeat, the Manacor native looks to the positives after reaching his 99th tour-level final.

“The real thing is I had a positive week. I am playing well and I am going to keep working hard to try to be ready for Australia. I think I will be. I am motivated for it.

“He played so good. Accept it and congratulate him. Nothing left to say. The only thing is the opponent is better than me today. And here especially. Let’s see in Australia and let’s see later during the whole season. I’m going to fight and I feel ready to fight. I feel ready and excited about this fight and I hope to be closer.”

Nadal will enter his 11th Australian Open seeded fifth, seeking a second title (2009).