DOHA: World number one Rafael Nadal defeated France's Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 on Saturday to win the Qatar Open. It was Nadal's 61st career title and took him to eighth on the all-time list, passing Andre Agassi. Nadal said: "I'm happy to start the season like this, it's the first time I have won a title in the first week of the year. It's a great way to start the season. I'm sure that if Gael keeps playing like this, he will be close to the top 10."–AFP