Djokovic wants delayed start for first semi-final

Dubai: Two-time champion Novak Djokovic has suggested that the first men's singles semi-final ought to be played a couple of hours later than its usual time of 2pm.

"I didn't feel the heat that much. I felt the heat with speed of the ball actually; the speed of the ball was unbelievable. The balls became potatoes. You could not hit two balls in front of the baseline. It was terrible," Djokovic told media after his semi-final opponent Tomas Berdych pulled out in their third set with an injury on Friday.

"Just as soon as the sun came down a little bit around 4pm, the tennis was better. There was more rallies, more variety. So I think for the next year they should move the first semi-final at least for two hours later," Djokovic said.

The heat factor has not been too harsh on the world number three, not after he went all the way to win his second Grand Slam at the Australian Open earlier this year.

Heat effect

"To be honest, I already feel the big improvement playing in the heat. I felt it in Australia that I was feeling good, not feeling the heat effect too much as I had in the past," Djokovic said.

"Here, today was a very hot day. I felt great on the court and I could have gone the distance. Physically I felt well; game wise I felt like a baby," he said.