Wawrinka, Murray in Qatar final

Unseeded Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka knocked out defending champion Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia 7-6, 6-4 to reach the Qatar Open final in Doha on Friday.

Wawrinka will face last year's beaten finalist Andy Murray in Saturday's final after the Briton overcame top seed Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-3.

Ljubicic was bidding to reach a fourth straight final in Doha but could not get to grips with Wawrinka's strong serve.

While Ljubicic tried to mix up power and precision to attack the Swiss on his forehand side, Wawrinka moved around the court fluently and played some pleasing returns from both wings.

Wawrinka edged the first set on a tiebreak and the pattern of the game remained the same in the second too until Ljubicic, serving to save the match at 4-5, committed a double fault and Wawrinka seized his opportunity with two splendid returns.

"It is always tough to beat a big serving player like Ivan [Ljubicic]. I am happy to have won against him for the first time," Wawrinka told reporters.

Murray trailed Davydenko 3-1 in the first set before finding his rhythm, controlling the game from the baseline by mixing aggression with caution.

"He [Davydenko] started off well. I did not serve well in the first set, but did well in the second," Murray said.

"I had to try and change the rhythm. I tried to rush him a bit.

Murray has lost twice to Wawrinka but is confident of a first win over the Swiss.

"I have practised a lot with him [Wawrinka]. Hopefully my experience in playing a final should work in my favour. It will be nice to start the new season with a win," he said.