RESULTS - SATURDAY, 2 MARCH 2013
Singles - Final
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d [3] T Berdych (CZE) 75 63
Doubles - Final
M Bhupathi (IND) / M
Llodra (FRA) d [3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / N Zimonjic (SRB)
76(6) 76(6)
FINALS REVIEW DJOKOVIC WINS FOURTH CROWN; BHUPATHI/LLODRA
CAPTURE DOUBLES
Novak Djokovic captured his fourth Dubai
title and his 36th tour-level trophy.
Djokovic extended his winning streak to 18 matches. His
last loss came to Sam Querrey in the ATP World Tour
Masters 1000 Paris second round on 31 October 2012.
Djokovic, who also lifted the trophy in 2009 (d.
Ferrer), 2010 (d. Youzhny) and 2011 (d. Federer), earned
$429,600 in prize money and 500 Emirates ATP Rankings
points.
Mahesh Bhupathi has won
his fifth Dubai doubles title with his fifth different
partner. He teamed up with Michael Llodra for the first
time this week.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Novak Djokovic: My serving today
was great, [I had a] very high percentage of first
serves, over 200 [kilometres per hour]. I really felt
that I could rely on my serve. And in tough moments,
that part of my game actually helped me to prevail. To
be honest, I haven't played as aggressive and maybe as
good as I have played in yesterday's match [versus Juan
Martin del Potro] or previous matches during this week.
But that's also because I had [my] toughest challenge.
Tomas was obviously aggressive from the start
and feeling confident after a win against Roger
[Federer]. I backed it up and I was playing from my back
foot a bit and giving him too much time to control the
points. That resulted with a break down, and then he
missed a few easy shots on break points first and second
set that gave me the victory basically. I felt when I
came from break down that I started believing in myself
a little bit more. I hung in there and stayed tough.
This is the important thing.
I have been
enjoying my time, always coming here with a big team,
with family, friends. Everybody has been welcomed.
This generosity of the people and from the organisation
is always remembered. So this is definitely one of my
favourite tournaments throughout the year. Winning it
four times now is something that I definitely enjoy.
Tomas Berdych: I was able to play the
rallies with him quite well, especially from the
baseline, and trying to hold him under the pressure. The
beginning was really good, but this is just really [a]
small step that was working for few games.
Mahesh Bhupathi: It's like playing at
home here. I've got so many friends and so much family.
I used to live here for so many years. It's great to
come back. The Indian support is obviously tremendous.
Playing on that court before the final, it's an amazing
atmosphere.
Michael Llodra: Its unbelievable to
play in this stadium. It was full. An unbelievable
atmosphere. So that's why we play tennis, to play this
kind of match. Of course if you can win it, it's
better.
