• Dubai Tennis Championships

Djokovic staggers into Dubai final

Novak Djokovic beat Spain's David Ferrer to win the tournament last year © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Chaotic Djokovic defends Dubai title
  
• News: Play suspended for the day in Dubai final
  
• News: Youzhny battles past Melzer
  
• Profile: Novak Djokovic

Day Five in pictures

Defending champion Novak Djokovic stumbled his way into the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships, with three-set victory over Marcos Baghdatis.

The top seed battled back from a set and a break down to win beat the Sydney champion 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4. It was a far from perfect display from Djokovic, who served five double faults in the opening set.

It was the third match in a row that Djokovic has had to come from behind, having lost the opening set against Viktor Troicki and Ivan Ljubicic in his previous two matches.

Baghdatis had the brighter start, holding his service games while putting the world No. 2 under pressure, forcing Djokovic to save three break points in his opening two service games. But it was Djokovic who got the early break to go 3-2 ahead. But Baghdatis soon broke back and held his serve to go 5-4 ahead, with Djokovic serving to stay in the set.

The Serbian held on to take the opening set to a tie-break, but Baghdatis secured a mini-break to win the tie-break 7-2.

And the Cypriot continued to pile on the pressure, forcing Djokovic to save three break points in his opening service game. Baghdatis' hard work paid off when he broke to take a 2-1 lead with Djokovic floundering.

Just as it looked as if Djokovic was on his way out, he produced a sublime drop shot after a lengthy rally to break straight back. It proved to be a turning point in the match as he went on to hold his serve, albeit far from convincingly, and the momentum turned in his favour as he broke once more to level the match at one set all.

The crucial break came early in the third, and although Baghdatis refused to give in, he was unable to break back and Djokovic moved into the final for the second year, having come so close to crashing out.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.