Novak Djokovic in Dubai Open

Dubai is known as a place the world comes together for excitement. In Friday’s semifinal matches, the Barclay’s Dubai Tennis Championship will feature the tournament favorite and three relative upstarts. Perhaps we need Roger Federer to keep order in the pro tennis house after all.

Austrian Jurgen Melzer began the quarterfinals with a stunning upset (7-6(8), 7-5) of the tour’s hottest player, Croatian Marin Cilic. The loss marked the first time in 2010 that Cilic has been ousted before the semifinals.

Cilic sprung from the starting blocks and cruised to a 4-1 first set lead before Melzer fought off two break points in the critical 18-point 6th game. The Austrian seemed to gain confidence with the hold and followed with a four game run to go up 5-4.

In the tenth game, Cilic fell behind 0-30 before rallying to hold. In the tiebreaker, Melzer squandered set points at 6-5 and 8-7 before closing out at 10-8. The first set took 69 minutes.

The 31st ranked Melzer was not overpowering but had terrific control of his serve. His effective location yielded six service holds in the second set. In the eleventh game, Cilic evened the game at 30-30 with his eleventh ace, but Melzer smoked a forehand winner to reach the only match point he would need.

Melzer, now 7-38 against top ten opponents, advances to play Mikhail; Youzhny, last week’s runner-up in Rotterdam. The determined Russian made short work of Murray upset winner Janko Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-4. Youzhny, the seven seed, does not lose matches he should win. Tipsarevic did earn three break point opportunities but was unable to convert any as Youzhny held serve throughout the match.

Last year’s champion and this year’s top seed Djokovic had all he could handle with 30-year old Ivan Ljubicic. Novak Djokovic had to mount a comeback against Ljubicic in the 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 two-hour match.

Ljubicic won 16 of 18 service points in the first set. Djokovic was reeling from the assault, but rallied in the tenth game of the second set. At 4-5, Ljubicic recorded his 12th ace before Djokovic ran off four straight points to claim the set.

The wind came away from the Croatian’s sails as Djokovic recorded his 12th career win against just two defeats at Dubai. Ljubicic showed signs of his former world number three ranking but was worn down by Djokovic and the pressing heat.

Djokovic will next face Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis who turned away Michael Berrer 7-6(5), 6-1. Baghdatis was in command of both his game and Berrer as he never faced a break point while firing 11 aces in the match. Baghdatis is playing with confidence and consistency. He seems in top form and unbothered by the Dubai heat.

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