• Dubai Tennis Championships

Federer comeback seals sixth Dubai crown

ESPN staff
March 1, 2014
Roger Federer's sixth Dubai crown gave him his 78th tour title © Getty Images
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Roger Federer rallied to a sixth Dubai Tennis Championships crown following a 3-6 6-4 6-3 victory over Tomas Berdych in Saturday's final.

Federer enjoyed his first win against Novak Djokovic in 18 months when prospering in Friday's semi-final, but had to produce a classic comeback from a set and a break down to collect his 78th tour title at the expense of Berdych.

It was the Swiss who drew first blood in the opening set, but Berdych battled back to win four consecutive games and take the lead.

Federer saved successive break points in the fifth game of the second set but handed Berdych - who beat Federer at the semi-final stage in Dubai last year - the momentum with a wide forehand and a 3-2 lead.

However, Berdych was broken back immediately and the Czech then lost the next two games without registering a single point. Berdych saved three break points in the opening game of the deciding set, but Federer pressed and found a breakthrough in the fourth.

Berdych held firm to save two match points on his serve, but Federer kept his cool to seal a sixth title in Dubai and leave his opponent a beaten finalist for the second year running.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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