Federer did it in straight sets, but all praises to Thomas Schoorel, as he stayd on course and duly tested the mighty Federer in the first set. Finally, the Swiss ace got a good stranglehold over the second set and did it in straight sets, but did not get a convincing win in the end.  Best match of the 2011 Qatar ExxonMobil Open - so far. 

Thomas Schoorel continues to impress. Federer plays a beautiful forehand shot, but then Thomas Schoorel fires a volley winner and another forehand winner to stay on course. Its 5-3 second set. Now Federer will serve to win the match. 

Federer holds on without difficulty and finishes on the match win. The Swiss aces smacks a forehand down the line and then plays a trademark backhand in the corner. The rest is done by Schoorel's forehand errors. Its 5-2, second set!

Schoorel stays on course. Well played by Schoorel there, as he saves three break points with the help of a drop-shot and then back-to back winners. Federer sends one over the line and Schoorel holds on. Its 2-4, second set!

Federer consolidates easily after getting the coveted break in the last game. This time, Federer does not make any mistakes and extends his lead. Schoorel is looking out of sorts there. Its 4-1, second set. 

Federer breaks. A superb drop-shot from Federer. And, then Swiss fires a forehand down the line! With another backhand in the middle to earn the break here. Its 3-1, second set. 

That's superb performance from Schoorel so far. Once again, he gets the Swiss ace into trouble. Federer had to save two break points again. Federer smacks a forehand down the line and then two quick serves do it for Federer. 

Schoorel once again shows much defiance and holds on to his opening service game of the match. Though, Federer gets a quick point with his trademark forehand, Schoorel fires quick serves to stay on course. Its 1-1, second set!

Federer takes the momentum of the first set into second. The Swiss ace smacks superb forehand winner and then an ace to hold on to opening service game of the match. Its 1-0, second set. 

Federer wraps-up the first set after a bit of struggle in 45 minutes. The World No. 2 failed to broke Schoorel and the first set reached the tie-breaker, which was won by the Swiss by keeping things well in control. Federer mustered 87% points on the first serve and also hammered 12 winners to move through. 

And, here we are in a tie-breaker. Federer fires an ace and then smacks quick forehand winner and stays on course. Well, now the set will be decided in a tie-breaker. 

Schoorel does it again. He is playing really well out there. superb drives on both sides of the court and a relatively easy hold for Schoorel. Its 6-5, first set. Once again, Federer under pressure. 

Federer in trouble - Schoorel smacked a quick forehand down the line and then a drop shot to put some pressure on Federer. Schoorel smacks another forehand and Schoorel brings in another quick forehand to get three break points, but Federer brings in all his experience on the forefront to fend off three break points and hold on a tricky service game. Its 5-5, first set!

Federer smacks a forehand down the line and puts some pressure on Schoorel. The Swiss executes a drop-shot, but then Schoorel smacks a forehand and two quick serves to hold on to the penultimate game of the match. Its 5-4, first set!

Federer does not take much time to hold on to his serve this time. Federer smacks quick forehand and then two quick serves. Its 4-4, first set!

Thomas Schoorel continues to hold on. The fight goes on, as Schoorel once again fends off a break point and duly compliments his probing serve with a quick forehand. Its 4-3, first set!

Another easy hold for Federer. The World No. 2 smacks a quick forehand and then fires two quick serve in the middle. Federer equalizes the proceedings. Its 3-3 first set!

Another defiant hold from Schoorel. He saves couple of break points with the help of his timely serve. Schoorel comes on the forefront and smashes a forehand in the middle and sails through. Its 3-2, first set!

Schoorel shows some intent there and fires a forehand winner in the middle to put Federer under some pressure. The World No. 2 responds well with two aces and then fires another one in the corner to hold on to another easy service game. Its 2-2, first set!

Fine play from Schoorel there. He opens up with another big serve there and smacks a quick forehand to put some pressure on Federer and once again fires a quick serve in the middle to get the slender lead. Its 2-1, first set. 

Federer starts off nicely there, as he smacks a quick forehand down the line to put some pressure on Schoorel, who makes three unforced errors and allows Federer to hold on to his opening service game of the match. Its 1-1, first set!

Schoorel starts off on a confident note there. He fires three quick serves and Federer fails to control them. Federer mis-hits one forehand over the line to give a fine start to Schoorel. Its 1-0, first set!

Players are warming up before the match! Huge occasion for World no. 168 Tomas Schoorel, as he gets the opportunity to play against Roger Federer - 16 Grand Slams Champion!

Federer wins the spin of the coin and chooses to receive first.

Players arrive on the court and prepare for the toss!

Stay tuned, as we bring shot-by-shot commentary of this match, shortly!

Click here to read the full preview of this match!

This is the first meeting between the two contenders. 

We bring you the shot-by-shot commentary of the match between World No. 2 Roger Federer and Tomas Schoorel of Netherlands. 

Hello and welcome to the live match commentary of Qatar ExxonMobil Open, live from Doha, Qatar.