Djokovic reaches third Dubai final as injured Berdych retires

By Bill Scott Feb 25, 2011, 13:03 GMT

Dubai - Novak Djokovic advanced into a third straight final at the Dubai Championships Friday after third-seeded opponent Tomas Berdych retired injured to hand over a 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 4-2 semi-final win to the second seed.

'It was a catastrophic match for both of us,' said a dissatisfied Djokovic, who will await an opponent from top seed and four-time champion Roger Federer and Richard Gasquet, playing later.

It was the first time in Dubai tournament history (it began in 1993) that the top three seeds had reached the semis. Between them, Federer, Djokovic and Berdych had won a combined 18 of 19 sets.

Djokovic bemoaned his effort as he improved to 6-1 over Wimbledon finalist Berdych, who quit after nearly two and a half hours on court after being seen several times by the trainer for a leg muscle complaint.

'The problem was my left quadriceps, I was not able just to serve or move to the sides,' said Berdych, world number seven. 'There was no chance to just play with this guy in the condition that I was feeling.

'It just didn't make sense to be changing sides just be able to finish. I felt the pain coming in the first set, and then it increased.

'To play Novak, one of the best returners and without a serve - no chance.'

Djokovic took 66 minutes to lose the first set, with Berdych missing on a pair of set points in the 12th game and finally nailing it on his fifth chance with a service winner.

But Djokovic stormed back in the second as Berdych's discomfort increased, the Serb levelling a a set each before Berdych retired after falling behind a break 2-4 in the third.

The pair last met in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open where Djokovic rolled in straight sets. The world number three is now unbeaten in his last 14 matches in Dubai and has increased his current win steak to 13 matches dating to December's Davis Cup final. 'It's tough of play an injured opponent,' said the two-time Australian Open champion. 'But you try to ignore that and just play your game.

'We were both making mistakes all over the court. My serve was the only positive thing about this match, That's how I guess I was able to win. It was certainly not one of my best matches. I was lucky to go through.'

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