Now, just a little over a week before the Australian Open, several tournaments are wrapping up play.  The final in Doha was completed Saturday with Davydenko pulling off the rare double-beating Federer and Nadal in the same tournament, making it two tournaments in a row that Davydenko has achieved this unlikely feat.

Today, there were two finals.  In Chennai, Marin Cilic of Croatia, defending champ, played #2 Swiss player, Stanislas Wawrinka, in the finals.  Although India has produced its share of very good grass court players, this tournament is played on hard cours, to better prepare its participants to play in Australia.  Cilic won 7-6(2), 7-6(3).

Brisbane is one of those few tournaments where both men and women play.  In this case, the women had the more compelling story as two Belgians who had retired were both in the finals.  This was Justine Henin’s first tournament since retiring and she nearly won it over her countrywoman, Kim Clijsters.

Andy Roddick had also taken time off tour.  Roddick hadn’t played since his knee bothered him back in Shanghai which forced him to retire.  He skipped the rest of the indoor/hardcourt season and the year-end finals.  Brisbane was his first tournament back.  He found himself battling Czeck, Radek Stepanek, who, at 31, might be playing some of the best tennis of his career.  Radek gave Roddick quite the challenge, forcing him to a first set tiebreak.

Roddick looked as if he’d take control in the second set with a 4-0, two break lead, but Radek held tough, broke back twice, and was up 6-5.  Roddick again looked poised to win at 6-1 up in the tiebreak before Radek won 6 points in a row to go up 7-6.  Roddick earned both points on his serve and saw Radek double-fault to give him the match.  Roddick gave credit to Radek for fighting.  He generally compliments opponents that keep fighting and pushing him, even when they lose.

Thus, Davydenko, Cilic, and Roddick end up winners a week before the Australian Open, with Cilic and Roddick both winning their matches, 7-6, 7-6.  Dem’s the breaks!