Dubai: World No 1 Novak Djokovic helped himself to a fourth title at the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open with an assured 7-5, 6-3 win over third seed Tomas Berdych before an adoring audience at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on Saturday night.
Coming in with an amazing 12-1 record against Berdych, there was little doubt who was the better player on paper. But, as the match progressed, it was the Czech who made a mockery of this statistic with some astounding hitting and retrieving against the Serbian superstar.
With Saturday’s win Djokovic took his lifetime record in Dubai to 28-3, after having won 23 of the past 24 matches here. The 25-year-old Serbian had earlier won titles here three years on the trot in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Only Roger Federer has more singles titles than Djokovic, with the Swiss ace winning on five occasions in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 and last year.
In the end, Djokovic was a relieved man to have moved one title closer to the Swiss ace. “It was never going to be an easy final for any of us. He [Berdych] has been around for a long time. He won against Roger [Federer]. Today was a close match and it could have gone either way. In the end I am glad I came through,” the Serb admitted.
Djokovic received his fourth winner’s trophy and the cheque for $429,600 (Dhs1.576 million) from Shaikh Hasher Al Maktoum, Director General, Dubai Department of Information and President, Tennis Emirates, along with Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman, Dubai Duty Free; Tournament Director Salah Tahlak and Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Vice-President, Tennis Emirates, and Shaikh Ahmad Bin Jaber Al Sabah, President, Arab Tennis Federation.
Berdych was the first player to seize the initiative with a break in the fifth game and then held for a 4-2 lead. In the eighth game, the Czech started off with a double fault, recovered to save two game points only to net a forehand volley to be broken for 4-4.
The three-time champion Djokovic took a tumble and landed on his right leg in the ninth game, but recovered to hold and lead 5-4. But any hopes the Czech had of Djokovic faltering were dashed when the Serb raised his game and capitalised on a crucial double fault in the 12th game to take the first set in 51 minutes, 7-5.
In the second set, there were no breaks until Berdych hit a forehand wide to allow Djokovic to break him in the eighth game.
The Serb then saved two break points and served out to win the second set 6-3 in an hour and 33 minutes to claim a fourth Dubai crown.
“It’s the dream of every player to prevail in the end and be the last one standing. This has been another thrilling week for me. It’s been a great pleasure for me to play in Dubai as it’s one of the best tournaments in the world and the players love being here,” Djokovic, who had reached the final without dropping a set for the first time, added.
Djokovic’s success means he now has an unblemished 13-0 win-loss record for this year, including his sixth Grand Slam success in the form of a fourth Australian Open title.
This was Djokovic’s 55th career final and it is also the 70th week that he’s been number one in the Emirates ATP Rankings.
“It’s really, really tough. I did not have enough today,” Berdych admitted.
“I will try to work hard and improve, but only if these top guys will leave something for us [can I succeed],” the Czech said.
