Roger Federer captured a record-extending sixth title in Dubai, successfully pulling off a second consecutive comeback victory this week, by beating last year’s runner-up Tomas Berdych 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in just under two hours.
Last year, Berdych saved three match points before he overcame Federer in the semi-finals but this time, the Swiss may have dropped two championship points but there was no repeat for the tall Czech as Federer secured the win on his third chance.
It was Federer’s 78th title win in 115 finals, which means the 32-year-old has now usurped John McEnroe to lie alone in third place on the all-time list of title leaders.Only Jimmy Connors (109) and Ivan Lendl (94) have won more titles than him.
“I’m really happy with my game tonight and for the week. It was a tough match and Tomas had the advantage. He could – and maybe should – have brought it home. I guess I got a little lucky at times out here tonight, but I fought well and I couldn’t be more happy with the outcome at the end of course,” said Federer on court after the win.
Berdych joked the night before that he wasn’t there on the court for the start of his semi-final against Philipp Kohlschreiber and his start against Federer wasn’t much better.
Four strong serves saw him hold in his opening service game but a stream of errors saw him get broken to love two games later. Federer didn’t have a sharp start either though, mis-hitting numerous balls in the first four games and he was broken back immediately when he sent a wild forehand long to see Berdych draw level at 2-2.
The Czech edged ahead in the sixth game, hitting a good return to get two break points, and he broke on his second chance when his deep return clipped the line and saw Federer shank his backhand to go down 2-4.
And that break was all he needed to grab an underwhelming first set in 33 minutes with a second serve winner.
Federer landed only 35 per cent of his first serves in, in the opening set, and the Swiss knew he had to rectify the situation from the get-go in the second set.
The Swiss won six of the first seven points of the set and was about to go up 0-40 on Berdych’s serve but the Czech challenged the out call, which proved a wise move.
He then fired the fastest serve of the match thus far, a 217km/hr missile and went on to hold for 1-1. The fifth game, which sparked a comeback for Federer the night before against Djokovic, proved costly for the world No8.
Federer saved two break points, but quivered on the third, sending an inside out forehand wide to give Berdych a break and a 3-2 lead.
The No4 seed sent the crowd wild moments later though, when he got two break points with an overhead smash and broke back when Berdych sent a backhand into the net. It did indeed, prove a turning point of the match as Federer leveled for 3-3 and began to play more aggressively, serving and volleying and firing up his fans in the stands.
He held to love for a 5-4 lead and upped the pressure on Berdych’s serve the following game. A passing shot winner gave Federer 0-30, then a brilliant volley gave him three set points.
And the five-time champion only needed one as Berdych sent a cross court forehand wide to lose the set.
It seemed the momentum was on Federer’s favour, and he was serving first in the final set.
Berdych saved three straight break points in his opening service game however to hold before forcing Federer into a similar position the following game. But the Swiss found his serve when he needed it and held on for 2-1.
It triggered a run of good form from the Swiss, who broke in the next game and held for 4-1. He saved two break points in the seventh game and got his hands on his first two championship points on Berdych’s serve in game eight.
But the resilient Czech fended them both off and held serve with a monster 215km/hr service winner.
And there was no déjà vu for Federer, who made sure he sealed the deal on his third opportunity, when Berdych sent a backhand return wide.
Highlights – Part I
Highlights Part II
