Match Results & Schedule: Barclays Dubai

Novak Djokovic (pictured in his favorite pose, shirtless) beat Gilles Simon in a three set match that clocked in at 259 minutes 3-6 7-5 7-5. Djokovic did not play particularly well but managed to pull out the win in the third set.

Djokovic’s forehand failed him for much of the day but was able to stay in the match with his serve. Simon broke Djokovic in the first game of the third set, and it looked like the Frenchman would cruise into the final. In the end, the Serb broke Simon in the sixth game, which was part of his three game rally, to put himself back into the match. Djokovic then broke again to close out the match in the twelfth game. He will play David Ferrer from Spain in the final tomorrow.

David Ferrer was all business today. He played like the rent was due and trampled Richard Gasquet 6-2 6-2. If he continues to play like he did today, EPMD might have to dedicate an album to him.

Ferrer had an all around solid match. He served, returned, volleyed and moved well. The Spaniard was aggressive, and Gasquet really had no real answers for any of it. Every time Gasquet tried to get back into the match, Ferrer would immediately shut any door of opportunity. The Frenchman had six break points in the second set and did not convert.

Ferrer looked today like the player who rose to the ranking of world no. 4 early last year. The Spaniard struggled at the end of last year and is now ranked 14. He is now the third highest ranked Spaniard (after #1 Nadal and #9 Verdasco).

The start of this year, his results were mixed. He was sent packing in the round of 32 at the Australian Open and then made it to the semifinals in Auckland and Johannesburg. In the matches I have seen, the Spaniard looked frustrated, and his shots looked forced. Today was another story, so let us hope he is back to form this year.

If Ferrer plays like he did today, he should be able to take Djokovic. Let’s hope today’s Ferrer shows up tomorrow. Ferrer’s head-to head with Djokovic is split at 3-3, though Djokovic is 4-1 on hard surfaces.

In doubles news, David Ferrer’s doubles fate did not end like his single’s fate ended. He and partner Marat Safin lost to Rick De Voest and Dmitry Tursunov 7-5 3-6 5-10. De Voest and Tursunov will meet Damm and Lindstedt in the doubles final tomorrow.

Friday’s Results:
Singles Semifinals
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 3 Gilles Simon (FRA) 3-6 7-5 7-5 4
David Ferrer (ESP) def. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-2 6-2

Doubles Semifinals
M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) def. M. Matkowski (POL)/R. Schuettler (GER) 6-4 6-4
R. de Voest (RSA)/D. Tursunov (RUS) def. D. Ferrer (ESP)/M. Safin (RUS) 5-7 6-3 10-5

Saturday's Matches:
Singles Final
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. 4 David Ferrer (ESP)

Doubles Final
M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) vs. R. de Voest (RSA)/D. Tursunov (RUS)

(images: Barclays Dubai Tennis Tournament)