Tough campaign just what the doctor ordered for Federer

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  • Battling Berdych: The Czech made Federer work for victory in Dubai.

    Roger Federer called his win over Tomas Berdych last night a “mental win” and admitted that all his tough moments in Dubai this week are exactly what he needs right now.

    Three of his five matches in Dubai went to a final set and he was forced to dig deep to take out Radek Stepanek in the second round, Novak Djokovic in the semis and finally Berdych yesterday.

    He was in search of his first serve throughout most of the match and concedes that it’s something he must work on heading into Indian Wells but Federer was happy he came out victorious.

    “It’s been a tough week,” said Federer, who has now won at least one title for the past 14 years (since 2001). “It’s a lot of tennis in short succession. I have a lot of tennis in my body over the years. I’m happy that I can still do these weeks.

    “I played a lot of tennis already this year, and I feel like it’s a very good stretch for me right now. Of course it’s never easy to back it up and play exactly the same way you did against a certain player. I learned that lesson hard when I beat Sampras at Wimbledon. I remember I went into the American summer and I was like ‘okay, play like when you played against Pete’.

    “It’s just not going to happen. So you always have to readjust.

    “That’s what I felt like out there. I was missing shots, like I was totally out of sorts, and conditions were as good as they could have been. It was a mental win for me tonight.

    “Today and yesterday I was able to deliver when I had to. Same against Stepanek in the third when things got tough. I was able to come up with the goods. It’s one of those tournaments I kind of need this way right now.”

    Federer is having a much better start to the year than last season and he’s already picked up a title, made a final, and reached a grand slam semi-final.

    Meanwhile, Berdych was disappointed he let a set and a break lead slip through his fingers to lose his second straight final in Dubai.

    His career-best 11-match winning streak came to an end yesterday.

    “I had really many chances, and then I basically just gave him the game,” said the Czech world No6. “So really it’s very disappointing for me the way I handled that situation. I was in the better shape and playing really well and made my chances, but, you know, unfortunately I didn’t execute it until the end.”

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