• Mubadala World Tennis Championship

Djokovic sweeps past Federer to reach final

ESPN staff
December 30, 2011
Novak Djokovic appears to be in ominous form ahead of the new season © PA Photos
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Novak Djokovic fired a warning to his rivals ahead of the Australian Open as he claimed a convincing win over Roger Federer at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.

Djokovic underlined his status as world No. 1 as he booked his place in the final of the Mubadala World Championship after a dominant 6-2 6-1 victory over rival Federer.

After a tight opening, Djokovic soon began to settle into his stride and pulled away with a break of serve, before winning nine straight games to tighten his grip on the match.

Federer, who ended the most recent season with a 17-match winning streak, had no answer to Djokovic, who streaked away to a comfortable victory in just 44 minutes.

Djokovic had the benefit of a match under his belt when he beat Gael Monfils in three sets on Thursday, while Federer looked rusty as he was swept aside by the world No. 1.

Djokovic will meet David Ferrer in Saturday's final after the world No. 5 won an all-Spanish semi-final against world No. 2 Rafael Nadal. Nadal, who revealed on Thursday that he is struggling with a shoulder injury, looked well off his best as he slumped to a 6-3 6-2 defeat.

With Nadal and Federer handed byes into the semi-final, the organisers were denied the final showdown they craved, but fans will see the pair resume their rivalry in the third-fourth place play-off on Saturday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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