MONFILS EXCUSES NADAL

Rafael Nadal's Australian Open preparation hit a stumbling block on Thursday when he was beaten 6-4 6-4 by Frenchman Gael Monfils in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open.

The world number one had been hoping to get some much needed match practice before the season's opening grand slam, which starts on Jan. 19, after being injured during the final stages of the 2008 season.

But 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 while second seed Roger Federer and third seed Andy Murray are in action later.

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.