Nothing came easily for top seed Novak Djokovic this week in Dubai. After losing the first set in three successive matches leading to the finals, the Serb seemed headed to a straight set championship victory on Saturday. With a tough 7-5 first set in hand and up 2-0 in the second, Djokovic was in command.

But, you can’t fight Mother Nature, who unleashed torrential downpours that forced play to be halted and continued on Sunday afternoon. Overnight, the match’s momentum seemed to change. When Youzhny steamed an unanswered backhand drive down the line, he captured the fifth game break to get back on serve.

In the eight game, Djokovic had a break point and an easy, open-court forehand to seal his own break. Inexplicably, he flinched at the opportunity and over hit the erred shot. Youzhny held and then came out firing in the pivotal 9th game, managing a break to go ahead 5-4.

Djokovic was not finished. He promptly broke back to get back on serve again. But, Youzhny seemed grooved on the Djokovic serve and rattled off four winners to capture the 12th game at love and square the two-day old match at one set each.

Youzhny’s loss of first set was his first lost set of the tournament. In his efforts to defend his 2009 championship, Djokovic had now lost four sets this year. Two weeks ago, in Rotterdam, Youzhny had taken the favored Djokovic down in the semis. The Russian is riding a hot streak and expects to win.

In the third set, Youzhny held the edge with Djokovic facing a break at 3-3, 15-40. Djokovic rallied to save the key game in the match. At 3-4, Youzhny blinked and Djokovic captured a break before serving out the set. Djokovic showed more maturity in this tournament as he rallied in four consecutive matches against solid contenders. If the Serb can continue this emotional fortitude, he may well be back on the Grand Slam podium this year.

In claiming his 17th ATP title, Djokovic became just the second player to defend his title at Dubai. The other was Roger Federer, who won three in a row between 2003 and 2005. Federer was forced to withdraw from this year’s event.

In post game interviews, Youzhny, who now stands at 3-4 with Djokovic, said, “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 tennis.”

Related Articles

Djokovic – Baghdatis, Melzer – Youzhny in Dubai Semis

Dojokovic Survives – Youzhny Stays Hot in Dubai

Soderling Defeats Youzhny