FEDERER OPENS IN STYLE IN DUBAI, DJOKOVIC BEGINS WEEK ON TUESDAY

Written by: Staff on 23rd February 2015

FEDERER OPENS IN STYLE IN DUBAI, DJOKOVIC BEGINS WEEK ON TUESDAY

epa04634273 Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Mikhail Youzhny of Russia during the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis ATP Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 23 February 2015. EPA/ALI HAIDER |

Federer opens in style in Dubai, Djokovic begins week on Tuesday

By Ricky Dimon

Roger Federer improved to 16-0 against Mikhail Youzhny with a 6-3, 6-1 victory in round one of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Monday. Federer did not face a single break point while advancing in a mere 56 minutes of play.

“I think it was close in that first set,” Federer reflected. “I think we were both trying to find our range. I’m happy I didn’t start to play too careful after it, because it is tough to play here in Dubai with the quick conditions.

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Mikhail Youzhny of Russia during the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis ATP Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 23 February 2015. EPA/ALI HAIDER

“After that, I think I started to return much better. Serve got a bit more consistent. My half-volleys were getting better. I was able to get the set and the break, and then that’s when you can bring it home.”

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the Norman Brooks trophy after his win against Andy Murray of Britain in the Men’s final match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 01 February 2015. EPA/LUKAS COCH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Djokovic will be in action for the first time since winning the Australian Open when he takes the court on Tuesday. The world No. 1 is 9-1 this season with his one loss coming to Ivo Karlovic in the Doha quarterfinals. Djokovic is 18-1 in his last 19 matches (all on hard courts) since losing to Roger Federer last fall in Shanghai.

“I believe there is a connection between the Australian Open and Dubai,” Djokovic explained. “Every time I win there I probably win here. The reason I’m so successful here is building on the confidence and that it’s the beginning of the season and I’m motivated, fresh, and eager to compete.”

That sounds like bad news for Vasek Pospisil, who is the top seed’s opening-round opponent. Djokovic is 2-0 against the Canadian; he cruised 6-2, 6-0, 6-4 two years ago in a clay-court Davis Cup clash in Serbia before prevailing 6-3, 7-5 a few months ago in Beijing.

Pospisil is a mediocre 5-4 for his 2015 campaign with a third-round showing Down Under and no first-round exits in four tournaments. That streak will almost certainly come to an end against a heavily-favored opponent who is 30-4 lifetime in Dubai.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Atp, Dubai, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Federer, Mikhail Youzhny, Novak, Ricky Dimon

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10sBalls_com says:

February 23, 2015 at 4:24 pm

-@rogerfederer OPENS IN STYLE IN @DDFTennis, @DjokerNole BEGINS WEEK ON TUESDAY- http://t.co/4p71qkXe6V #Federer #dubaitennis #atpdubai #RF