Championship Day: Dubai

Novak Djokovic beat David Ferrer 7-5 6-3 in the championship match. The match consisted of two of the best returners on tour, so there were a lot of breaks. Djokovic struck first in game six and then there were another three consecutive breaks. Ferrer was the first to hold serve to tie the set up at 5-5. Djokovic held at love and then broke Ferrer to take the first set 7-5.

In the second set, Djokovic took over and began to show why he is the world no. 3 for the first time this year. Djokovic held for the first game and then broke Ferrer to take a 2-0 lead. The Serb went into cruise control to take the second set and the match. This championship is Djokovic’s first title of the year and the twelfth of his career. In a couple of weeks, he will defend his title at Indian Wells.

The duo Rik de Voest and Dmitry Tursunov came back from losing the first set to defeat Martin Damm and Robert Lindstredt in three sets. Remarkably, this is the duo’s first pairing together, and both can add this title to their other doubles championships. Tursunov won in Rotterdam with Tomas Berdych in 2008 and the Moscow Open with Marat Safin in 2007. De Voest won the China Open in 2007 with Ashley Fisher.

Championship Results:
Singles Final
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 4 David Ferrer (ESP) 7-5 6-3

Doubles Final
R. de Voest (RSA)/D. Tursunov (RUS) def. M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) 4-6 6-3 10-5

(images: Barclays Dubai Tennis Championship, AP)