Djokovic claims first career title-defense with victory in Dubai

Sunday, 28 February 2010 00:00

David Ferrer defeated fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 Saturday night at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, denying his good friend his third ATP World Tour title in so many weeks.

Djokovic was very pleased with the result, making the first title defense of his career: “It means the whole world to me. Of course there are always people who are saying he can’t do it. He can’t do it. But I’m playing for myself, and this is another success in my career that I wasn’t able to make in the last two years. But now, finally, I did it, and it’s a big relief. So in the future I just hope I’ll make a couple more of those.”

The Serb had to fight his way through the whole tournament, rallying from a set down in the semis (vs. Baghdatis), the quarters (vs. Ljubicic) and the second round (vs. Troicki) before going three sets for the fourth consecutive match against Youzhny in the final.

Djokovic showed a lot of maturity and resilience, especially when the final was postponed to Sunday due to torrential rain on Saturday night. The Serb was very much in command, leading 7-5, 2-0 when play was stopped, and looked like he was en route for an easy two-set win.

Things changed on Sunday, Youzhny immediately regained the service break, and though Djokovic had a point to pull ahead 5-3, the Russian managed to even the match at one set apiece.

In the third set, after saving two break points at 15/40 and 3-3, Djokovic broke Youzhny in the following game and served out for the win.

“It’s a big boost because I believe in myself. Even when I play bad, I know I have the abilities…Today was another good example of how much I believe in myself and how much I fight till the end.”

Djokovic earned $383,000 and 500 2010 ATP Rankings points, while Youzhny took $180,000 and 300 points.

Djokovic joked about the fans who watched his matches – including those who showed up Sunday when the match could easily have finished quickly in straight sets – and got added value for their money.

“Obviously this tournament I don’t allow myself to win in straight sets except the first round. Even when I can finish the job in two sets, I still want to play. Thinking about people who bought tickets and want to stay a bit longer (laughing).”

The win in Dubai is Djokovic’s 17th career title, and he became the second player to win back-to-back titles since 1993. Roger Federer won three in a row from 2003-05.

Youzhny is now 5-9 in ATP World Tour finals, and was a bit disappointed with the loss after he leveled the match at 1-1.

“Before the tournament if you say you’ll play the final, you say good result. But now straight after the final, when you have some chances (it’s not so good)…It was a good match for me. It was a good level of tennis. I’m disappointed because I lost, but I’m happy because it was a good level of game.”

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Djokovic claims first career title-defense with victory in Dubai

Djokovic claims first career title-defense with victory in Dubai

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