The World Tour Finals final that wasn’t will become a reality in title match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday. As many expected and eagerly anticipated when the week began, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will be squaring off for the 37th time in their careers.
Federer is leading the head-to-head series 19-17, including 14-13 on hard courts. Djokovic had a chance even their records at 18-18 last fall in the Shanghai semifinals, but Federer cruised to a 6-4, 6-4 victory. The 33-year-old Swiss was later forced to withdraw due to a back injury at the O2 in London. Djokovic is 11-6 in 17 encounters since the start of the 2011 season; Federer is 2-1 against the Serb in Dubai after prevailing 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in last year’s semifinals.
Federer’s Dubai success is well-documented. He is 46-5 lifetime at the event with six titles. The world No. 2 has been in cruise control this time around while taking out Mikhail Youzhny, Fernando Verdasco, and Borna Coric without the loss of a set.
“He was just way too good for me,” Coric admitted. “I was feeling so rushed. I didn’t have any time to play my gameplan. I was just trying to hold in the rally as long as I could.”
Djokovic went on a mental walkabout midway through what was once a dominant performance against Tomas Berdych on Friday, but he regrouped for a 6-0, 5-7, 6-4 victory. The top seed previously disposed of Vasek Pospisil, Andrey Golubev, and Marsel Ilhan. Djokovic is 13-1 for his 2015 campaign with another Australian Open title to his credit.
“When you play Roger, it’s always a great challenge,” Djokovic assured. “If you want to win you have to play your best tennis, especially against Roger in the final of any event, but here particularly. Because I feel like this is the kind of a surface and conditions that it suits his game the best.”
The crowd support suits Federer, too, as he obviously spends plenty of time in Dubai throughout each year. Having the fans on his opponent’s side has often adversely affected Djokovic, just as it did at times earlier this season in Melbourne. It may not be the deciding factor in Saturday’s outcome, but it also won’t help the world No. 1. Federer, who as been the best player this week, has served at no less than 63 percent in all four of his matches. More of the same could see him through to the title.
Pick: Federer in 3
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Fed is just 1-4 in a third set decider since 2010 vs Nole so if it goes three, advantage Nole. But I don’t think it will.
Federer in two tight sets is the call.
#BetweenTheEars
I don’ think Fed will beat Nole…it seems to me that Nole is playing with so much confidence that even Fed who has always been a bad matchup for Novak stands little chance..
He surely did not play with ultra confidence against berdy n was tight on many occasions
This one won’t wrap up in 2 will surely go 3
didn’t see the match…but from what I read in the Serbian press Nole is enjoying this tourney and was not even worried about losing a set to Berdy…let’s not forget that Berdy is playing his best tennis right now and was able to destroy Rafa at the AO…I would like these two to play an extraordinary match and to finally be able to enjoy tennis…I don’t really care who wins…
Everyone knows that Rafa was suffering in his match against Berdy. He said himself that he made it easy for Berdy because he was not at his best to compete.
Well said, nadline10!
Starting a fight in an empty room.
I am curious @augustan08 aka @octoburro10 I am wondering why you accuse others of being angry when it is YOU who harbours so much anger. 🙂
I like to have fun.:)
This was in response to the following post from @augustan08 aka @octoburro10:
….
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Why are you SO angry, dear sanju ?! Does Rafa owe you something?
Excuses , Excuses, Excuses!! He played pathetic, why don’t you accept it?
Suffering due to bad play and he will fight and get over it (hopefully)
sanju says:
February 28, 2015 at 5:00 pm;
….
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Why are you SO angry, dear sanju ?! Does Rafa owe you something?
Yes well said. We all know Rafa has never recently lost unless he was suffering.
Yeah..let us put on the pink glasses and pretend we know and see nothing…Rafa indeed was suffering being clearly outplayed by Berdy…and Fognini caused some suffering, didn’t he…Rafa needs to raise his level and deal with his fitness issues…the only way to be saved from further suffering…
That☺
natashao,
Yes, I agree. Keeping it real. There’s nothing wrong with facing what is going on with Rafa now, instead of trying to make excuses or pretend that it’s not happening.
I believe that Rafa actually beat himself in that match with Fognini. He had things under control, then just lost it after a bad time violation call in that second set.
I don’t want to see Rafa suffering on the court. I want to see him enjoying the competition and playing well and feeling confident. I think he’s going to get there.
natashao2013 says:
February 28, 2015 at 4:01 pm
—Yeah..let us put on the pink glasses and pretend we know and see nothing…Rafa indeed was suffering…and Fognini caused some suffering—
Dear natashao2013! Rafa was cramping – people saw it without their glasses. 🙂
Djokovic banned cameras at his practice session today. Fleming thinkshe was having a bad hair day.
Now THIS is tennis.
At 33.5 this is extremely impressive.
Scratch that. At ANY age that is extremely impressive.
Crowd is actually divided.
Incredible point construction particularly by Federer.
Even the unforced errors are pretty.
Notre mixing it up coming to net occasionally. Putting some pressure on Federer.
Federer’s net play is much better of course.
Federer making more inroads on Nole’s serve but here’s Nole with a chance.
Tiebreaker is near
No Federer will break.
Snuffed. 4-3.
Federer will win this.
Nole had to break earlier when he had the chance.
Federer still capitalize on a slight Nole mental lapse probably this game.
Commie is an idiot. David Mercer.
Between the ears.
Congrats to me.
NID
Good job@hawkeye.. ?
Sublime.
#Respect
#peRFection
Nostradimonus has been ON POINT this week
Mmmm I’ve been better though.
Besides you picked Federer.
David Mercer loves Roger Federer’s chest hair.
Nadline10 knows how it feels, the love, not the hair.
Fed’s netgame is pants.
So is your knowledge of tennis and the year you are living in.
As predicted Nole is starting to cramp.
Djoker is useless at the net.
You are useless in a world where Rafa continues to play.
Federer will break now. GSM
Sir Shankalot is in the house.
Impressive hold from Nole 0-30 down.
clutcherer
Federer is betterer.
RU kidding me?
Four dominant points 15-40 down.
Federer has never been better.
NID
7-5 Federer is the call.
Mohamed Lahyani saying “Fifteen” in a continuous loop https://vine.co/v/O2PVZFex9MF
Nole has rent-a-fans. 🙂
Fed doesn’t know when to go to the net. Rafa could coach him on that.
The way Rafa is playing, he might think about coaching.
Rafa only goes to net when it’s a sure thing. Not enough.
Amazing when down break points down. Too good.
40-0 to deuce. Done and dusted.
David Mercer couldn’t contain his pleasure on that double fault.
Federer serving for the title.
Nostrohawkous in the house.
Congratulations to Me!!!
NID
It’s not over until the fat lady sings.
Roger for the second career slam? 🙂
STOMP.
#Schooled
#NID
#peRFection
I want to live in a world where David Mercer retires.
OMG Dubai get over yourself.
https://twitter.com/dimonator/status/571711118227316737
David Mercer is a complete federazzi ass. Good example of why it’s hard to be a Federer fan. Nole pure class.
Will Federer get second career slam before Rafa..Not easy but he may just get lucky in a slam no one expects him to win
Will Djokovic say he lacked motivation as his main rival is not here? 🙂
Facepalm;
RT @AmyFetherolf : “Fed’s positive H2H vs. Djokovic only grows more impressive as he gets (even) older.”
Fed beats the slow-HC specialist……………
Fed has a POSITIVE h2h vs Nole on HC and clay. On grass they are 1-1.
I saw the Dubai final and have to just tip my hat to Fed. To be producing that kind of tennis at the age of 33, well you just have to give it to him. Novak tried but couldn’t capitalize when he got break chances.
Well done to Fed.
High respect for Maestro! Great play indeed.
#Nostrahawkus
#DubaiYou???
I feel so bad I got a worried mind
I’m so lonesome all the time
Since I left my baby behind
(you know how to next line goes, dontcha?)
on blue dubaiyou, for sure, no?