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By Chris Oddo | Friday, February 28, 2014

 

Roger Federer defeated Novak Djokovic after dropping the first set for the first time, downing the Serb with a sublime effort to reach the Dubai final.

Photo Source: AFP

Roger Federer had never beaten Novak Djokovic after dropping the first set, but that all changed on Friday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as the Swiss Maestro stormed back to down the tournament's defending champion, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, and keep alive hopes of winning a sixth career Dubai title on Saturday.

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Federer, who fell behind early in the first set and failed to capitalize on his only break point of the opener, switched gears in the second, rallying to win 10 of the last 13 games behind a dazzling all-court game that rarely missed a beat against the up and down Djokovic.

After breaking for a 4-2 lead in the middle set, Federer was in complete control until the finish, and while Djokovic did have his moments in the 32nd meeting between the two icons, the summary snapshot was of two players headed in two different directions, at least for the time being.

After forcing the decider, Federer would benefit from an ill-timed Djokovic double-fault on break point in the first game of the set, and he seemed emboldened by the Serb's lack of focus.

Federer would save two break points in the next game to consolidate, and from there he was off to the races, attacking at full-tilt, unleashing well-struck groundies from both wings, and making his way to the net in style when the opportunities arose.

He would rifle a crosscourt winner past a net-rushing Djokovic to go up a double-break at 4-1, and though he faced another two break points while serving for the match at 5-2, he did not falter.

The victory is 
Federer's 17th in 32 career matches against Djokovic, and it improves his record in deciding sets against the Serb to 5-9.

Federer hit 26 winners against 20 unforced errors over the course of the one hour and 50-minute tilt, tossing in seven aces and winning 11 of 17 points at the net.

Djokovic, who was only able to convert on one of six break points, struck 24 winners against 23 unforced.

The defending Dubai champion saw his personal three-match winning streak against Federer snapped.

 

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