Djokovic wins Dubai Championships
Novak Djokovic celebrates his win over Tomas Berdych in Dubai.
Share This Story
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)
Novak Djokovic rallied from a break down in the first set to win his fourth Dubai Championships title in five years on Saturday, downing third-seeded Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-3.
The top-ranked Djokovic extended his unbeaten streak this year to 13 matches, which included his third straight Australian Open title. He's won 13 of their last 14 meetings en route to his 36th career title.
NET PLAY
FOXSports.com serves up the latest from the tennis world:''It was never going to be an easy final for either one of us,'' Djokovic said. ''Tomas is a fantastic player. He has been around the tour and was a Grand Slam finalist (at Wimbledon). ... I'm just fortunate to go through.''
In an early display of power tennis, the sixth-ranked Czech used blistering groundstrokes and a serve that approached 132 mph. He hit a crosscourt winner to break Djokovic and go up 3-2 in the first set and extended it to 4-2 with another crosscourt winner.
But errors began creeping into the Czech's game and Djokovic took advantage.
The Serb broke to draw even when Berdych missed an easy volley winner and then saved three break points to make it 5-4. Djokovic broke Berdych a second time to win the set when the Czech made three unforced errors and finished with a double-fault.
''Well, I just wanted to hang in there and just try to wait for my chance to come back to the match. When it was presented, I took it,'' Djokovic said. ''He basically gave me that break on 4-3 when he missed an easy volley. But still, I fought it and I believed I can come back, and that's I think something that can eventually decide the winner in these kind of matches.''
Djokovic broke to go up 5-3 in the second when Berdych hit a foreland long, and then saved a break point in the next game before clinching the victory with a forehand winner.
After beating 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in the semifinals, Berdych was looking to take down the world's top two players in the same tournament for the first time.
''I had a break, but playing with the best returning guy on tour, it's just (an) advantage but not something really huge,'' Berdych said. ''It was a quite good game, but it was not enough today.
''These guys (Djokovic and Federer), you can just basically go there, try your best and if it doesn't happen, all right. They are the first and second player in the world and possibly the best two for many, many years. That's how it is.''
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Long history of Tiger-Sergio squabble
The nearly 15-year squabble between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia has reached a new l... -
Tebow's name found in NCAA game
In an embarrassing blow to the NCAA, a gamer recently discovered that former Florida ... -
Thousands finish Boston Marathon
On Saturday morning, about 3,000 runners and bombing victims gathered in light rain t... -
Is Katherine Webb engaged?
Perhaps Alabama QB AJ McCarron did, in fact, put a ring on it after his famous girlfr... -
Umps miss call in bizarre fashion
Umpires miss yet another call, this one Friday night in a strange play at first base ...
Tennis Videos
Remarkable Moments: Olympics Day 9
Posted: Aug 05, 2012
Bryan Clay talks about Day 9's remarkable moments with Laura Okmin.
Bryan Clay talks about Day 9's remarkable moments with Laura Okmin.
London Now: Redemption for Murray
Posted: Aug 05, 2012
Andy Murray wins gold over Roger Federer at Wimbledon and more.
Andy Murray wins gold over Roger Federer at Wimbledon and more.
London Now: Murray's golden opportunity
Posted: Aug 05, 2012
Andy Murray has two shots at Olympic gold and more.
Andy Murray has two shots at Olympic gold and more.
Tennis Headlines
-
Serena reflects on 2012 French upset | Sisters enter doubles
-
French Open: Rafa, Novak could meet in semis | Big win for Fed
-
New trend? Three US men qualify at French | Couch: 10 questions
-
Federer gives in, joins Twitter | Will skip Davis Cup playoff
-
Roddick joins FOX Sports 1 for Aug. 17 launch | His career
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell & Ness Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird Green Authentic Throwback Jersey | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/118804/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_118000/FF_118804_xl.jpg&w=100 | 249.95 | Mitchell & Ness Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird Green Authentic Throwback Jersey |
| adidas Los Angeles Lakers Purple Primary Logo T-shirt | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/172442/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_172000/FF_172442_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | adidas Los Angeles Lakers Purple Primary Logo T-shirt |
| adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/173566/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_173000/FF_173566_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt |
| adidas Chicago Bulls Red Primary Logo T-shirt | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Chicago_Bulls/browse/featuredproduct/173568/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_173000/FF_173568_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | adidas Chicago Bulls Red Primary Logo T-shirt |
| adidas Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird White Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/177922/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_177000/FF_177922_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas Boston Celtics #33 Larry Bird White Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball.. |
| adidas Atlanta Hawks #21 Dominique Wilkins Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Atlanta_Hawks/browse/featuredproduct/177923/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_177000/FF_177923_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas Atlanta Hawks #21 Dominique Wilkins Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basket.. |
| adidas Los Angeles Lakers #32 Magic Johnson Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey - Gold | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/177924/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_177000/FF_177924_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas Los Angeles Lakers #32 Magic Johnson Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketbal.. |
| adidas New York Knicks #19 Willis Reed Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Knicks/browse/featuredproduct/178326/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178326_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas New York Knicks #19 Willis Reed Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman Bas.. |
| adidas Philadelphia 76ers #6 Julius Erving Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Philadelphia_76ers/browse/featuredproduct/178582/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178582_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas Philadelphia 76ers #6 Julius Erving Royal Blue Hardwood Classics Swingman.. |
| adidas Houston Rockets #34 Hakeem Olajuwon Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basketball Jersey | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/178773/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178773_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas Houston Rockets #34 Hakeem Olajuwon Red Hardwood Classics Swingman Basket.. |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.