Roger Federer rebounded from a set and a break deficit to defeat Tomas Berdych 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 for the trophy at the Dubai Duty Free Championships. It was a topsy-turvy affair, with several swings in momentum and breaks of serve. As Berdych’s first serve percentage dropped, however, Federer’s came up, and the Swiss overall had more winners and fewer unforced errors than the Czech (25-23 v. 20-29.)
Federer defeated Novak Djokovic yesterday to secure his place in the final and the victory today sees him at at 14-2 win-loss start to the year, which seems to bode well, after a less-than-stellar 2013 for the great champion. ‘Things definitely went my way out here tonight,” Federer said. ”I’ve had a lot of tough matches in the last year and a half so it was nice to get a lucky break again.”
Berdych recently the saw the end to his even longer drought, winning the title in Rotterdam three weeks ago, ending an 18-month streak without a trophy. ”He’s the greatest player of all time and he’ll never give up and give you anything for free,” Berdych said. ”I knew that and thought I was ready for it, but my execution wasn’t good enough to hold it to the end.”
The win gives Federer his 78th career title, putting him one above John McEnroe, and alone at third on the all-time list behind Jimmy Connors (109) and Ivan Lendl (94). In addition, as his first title of 2014 (first since Halle last June), the win in Dubai means that Roger has won at least one title in each of the last 14 years.
[divider]
Cover Photo (Creative Commons License): Marianne Bevis
