DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Novak Djokovic came 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, and has now defeated Berdych in 13 of their last 14 meetings. It was his 36th career title.
“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 put Djokovic on the back foot with some blistering groundstrokes and a serve that approached 213 kph. The Czech 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.
Nadal overpowers Ferrer
AP
Rafael Nadal blasted past top seed and defending champion David Ferrer 6-0, 6-2 in Saturday’s final of the Mexican Open in a powerful performance that indicated he has quickly returned to near his best after a long-term knee injury.
Ferrer was a three-time defending champion and had won 19 straight matches in this event, but he could find no answer to Nadal, losing to his Spanish compatriot in just one hour and five minutes.
“I did not do anything wrong today, I had a great match, almost perfect,” Nadal said. “I would have never imagined playing at the level that I played today, I’m leaving happy and surprised. . .”
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