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Djokovic beats Ferrer for his 12th ATP tour title
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-03-02 10:32 DUBAI: Top seed Novak Djokovic sealed his 12th ATP tour title with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Spaniard David Ferrer in the final of the Dubai Championships on Saturday.
It was the Serb's first title since winning the Tennis Masters Cup in November and came after he was stopped in the Marseille semifinals last week by eventual champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. "It's a very important title," Djokovic told reporters. "I had not started the year the way I maybe wanted to and the way maybe people were expecting me to. I made some major changes - my racket, which was quite risky at this time. "But as the season is going on I feel more comfortable with the racket and I feel comfortable on the court more. I try to release the pressure that I have and just play the tennis that I played in the first part of 2008, and if I do so I think I will be pretty successful." Officials had to remove a light covering of sand from the court with brooms and blowers before Saturday's final could start. When play got underway in sultry conditions there was little to choose between the two baseliners. Most of the games went easily with serve until Djokovic broke the deadlock when fourth-seeded Ferrer netted a forehand after a long rally to give the Serb a 4-2 lead. Djokovic was unable to maintain his advantage, though, netting a backhand in the next game after another lengthy rally. Djokovic broke again to lead 5-3 but, having the opportunity to serve out the set, he dropped the next eight points. In a bizarre turnaround, Djokovic won eight of the next nine points to take the set when Ferrer netted a low backhand volley. |
