Return Winners: The 2014 ATP Dubai final

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Return Winners: The 2014 ATP Dubai final

Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych battled on familiar turf for both

ByVan Sias

Published Mar 03, 2018

Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych met in a rematch of their 2013 Dubai semifinal.

With a back injury taking its toll, Roger Federer captured only one title in 2013. The following year, with a new racquet and coach—Hall of Famer Stefan Edberg—in tow, the Swiss got off to a solid start by reaching the final in Brisbane and the semifinals at the Australian Open.

Federer returned to tournament play in Dubai, one of his most successful events and advanced to the final, with his run including a win over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. Waiting for him in the championship round was Tomas Berdych, who upset him in the semifinals of the tournament in 2013. The Czech entered the tournament on a hot streak of his own, having won the Rotterdam Open and reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2014.

Berdych didn't lose a set in his first four matches, and his winning streak stretched to nine as he took the first frame 6-3.

Early in the second set, it looked as if Berdych would continue to roll as he went up an early break. Federer rallied to level matters at 4-4, then turned it up a notch to take the second set 6-4.

In the decider, Federer and Berdych each had opportunities to gain an early foothold, but both of them managed to stave off break points. Federer struck first, breaking Berdych in the fourth game, and though he was threatened later on in the seventh game, the Swiss held on to take a 5-2 lead. Berdych fended off match points on his own serve in the next game to force Federer to serve for the title. Federer would hold to win his first event since the prior June.

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2

Berdych’s win streak against Federer was halted at two for the second time in their career match-ups. Berdych beat Federer in the first two of their three contests in 2010.

4

This win in Dubai marked the fourth tournament Federer had won six times or more. The other three were Wimbledon, Halle and the ATP World Tour Finals.

78

Federer’s 78th career title moved him into third place among men in the Open Era, breaking the tie he shared with John McEnroe.

Follow Van on Twitter: @Van_Sias