Federer Wins Dubai; Zakopalova Fight-back

by Staff | March 1st, 2014, 3:03 pm
  • 26 Comments

Sterling Federer Tops Berdych for 6th Dubai Crown

Roger Federer extended his career magic at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this weekend, in the final defeating Tomas Berdych 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. The No. 4-seeded Swiss captured his 78th career title, and dropped the No. 3-seeded Czech to 9-12 in career finals.
ADHEREL
“It was a tough opening period in the third, wasting the love-40 game on Tomas’ first service game,” said Federer, who in the semifinals outlasted former No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the three sets. “Then saving break points myself. Anything could have happened there. Things definitely went my way out here tonight.”

It was Federer’s sixth Dubai crown, lifting his win-loss record at the event to 42-5, adding to trophies in 2003-05, 2007 and 2012. “I had really many chances, and then I basically just gave him the game and that’s it,” Berdych said. “It’s very disappointing for me the way I handled that situation. I was in the better shape and playing really well and made my chances, but unfortunately I didn’t execute it in the end.”

Zakopalova Denies Muguruza for Brasil Tennis Title


No. 3-seeded Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic outlasted No. 2 Garbine Muguruza 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 for her third career title at the Brasil Tennis Cup in Florianopolis.

“I was losing the whole match, but anything can happen in a final,” Zakpalova said. “Winning this title is just incredible…I’ll be celebrating this for sure on the plane.”

Trailing 4-6, 2-5, Zakopalova forced Muguruza to close it out by chasing everything down and hanging in, resulting in Muguruza folding and the Czech winning the next 11 games. It was Zakopalova’s first title in more than eight years, and she improved to 3-12 in career finals. Muguruza, who beat Zakopalova in the Hobart final earlier this year, dropped to 1-1 in career finals.


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26 Comments for Federer Wins Dubai; Zakopalova Fight-back

sheila Says:

gr8 2c fed win this. hope this gives him confidence for the rest of the year, especially would love 2c him win wimbledon again. another match that was a treat was dimitrov over murray. that was a surprise, especially because murray won first set. i hope this win for dimitrov also brings him confidence. he has so much talent & would love 2c his consistency in tournaments against top players like murray, thrive.


madmax Says:

It was Federer’s sixth Dubai crown, lifting his win-loss record at the event to 42-5, adding to trophies in 2003-05, 2007 and 2012. “I had really many chances, and then I basically just gave him the game and that’s it,” Berdych said. “It’s very disappointing for me the way I handled that situation. I was in the better shape and playing really well and made my chances, but unfortunately I didn’t execute it in the end.”

Wow, Berdy is so charming in his praise for Fed. This is why I feel I don’t like Berdy. Yeah, I know he can play some great tennis, strong with powerful, incredible shot making. There is just something about his personality though, that I just don’t like.

Arrogant.


Gordo Says:

Madmax – you dead on about Berdych. When they interview runners-up at the end of the title match of every tournament, every guy who loses to the champion, be he Rafa, Nole, Fed, Murray, Ferrer, Wawa, DelPo or whoever, always congratulates the champ, who in return usually returns the compliment.

It didn’t happen today, because Berdych NEVER admits that the best man won on the day, and it wasn’t him.

How classless. I wonder why he does not comment on any of these threads… :D


Hippy Chic Says:

Congrats Federer and fans,and proof if it were needed that he can still cut it with the big players,back to back wins against two top ten players,also back to back wins at the AO,its been quite some time since he played as well as this,so IMO theres every reason to be positive for him and his fans,great stuff well done Roger.


James Says:

Wow! How did Federer win the final? I was watching for a set and half and Berdych looked the better player. I thought Berdych was going to routine Roger. He was a break up in 2nd set when I stopped watching it.

Great win for Federer. He’s back! Great news for his fans.


James Says:

@madmax, iirc, years ago when Berdych beat Federer, Roger said he lost because he didn’t play well. Gave no credit to Tomas, which Tomas didn’t like. Sounds like the Birdman hasn’t forgotten that all these years.


Brando Says:

I like Berdych. He’s a great personality and based on some of his tweets: probably the most humorous from the top players. I agree he could have given Fed more credit but he more than likely has not forgotten how Fed responded similarly when he lost to Berdy in Wimby 10. Can’t blame him for that. Ultimately: it does not matter.


Hippy Chic Says:

Im still a bit p*ssed at Berdy,for robbing me of the chance of another Wimbledon Fedal in 2010,dont get me wrong i was delighted Rafa won a second Wimbledon title,but i wouldve loved another match like the one in 2008 A-MAZ-ING,having said that Berdy beating Roger and Novak back to back to make his 1st GS final was some of the best tennis ive ever seen him play.


Steve27 Says:

I was in the better shape and playing really well and made my chances, but unfortunately I didn’t execute it in the end.”

Hahaa, dear Thomas, if this match would have been in another instance, you had won the game perfectly.
But in a final, you…
You know the ansswer already


madmax Says:

Brando Says:
I like Berdych. He’s a great personality and based on some of his tweets: probably the most humorous from the top players. I agree he could have given Fed more credit but he more than likely has not forgotten how Fed responded similarly when he lost to Berdy in Wimby 10. Can’t blame him for that. Ultimately: it does not matter.

March 1st, 2014 at 4:44 pm

Brando,

You must be in a minority then. “He’s a great personality, based on some of his tweets?”.

Am not talking about his tweeting, am talking about the way he acts on a tennis court. He has a lot to learn when it comes to giving post interviews.

I remember Fed’s interview ’bout Tomas back then, and I remember he was misquoted and it was probably one of the very few times that Fed was pulled up on it.

Tomas however is arrogant, unpopular and really shows that he thinks he is a class above the rest.

I know there have been spats between Berdy and Rafa, Murray and Berdy, (not so sure about Berdy and Nole), and this one back in 2010 with him and fed, but really. Berdy is NOT a great personality on the court.

He is a robot and a boring one at that. He needs to work on giving polite and complimentary comments in his pressers.

The best player for that is Novak. A complete and utter pro. Berdy said nothing positive, encouraging or complimentary about Fed at all.

Even at the end of the match, all was cursory and manifactured with him

Shame on Tomas, for such an elite player to behave in a really unbecoming manner.

Enjoy his tweeting though Brando, may be that is where his personality and talents lie. Making people smile, inbetween his tennis?


Nirmal Kumar Says:

For anyone saying Thomas did not give credit to Roger, this is what he said

“He’s the greatest player of all time and he’ll never give up and give you anything for free,” Berdych said. “I knew that and thought I was ready for it, but my execution wasn’t good enough to hold it to the end.”


Hippy Chic Says:

Nirmal thats nice,somtimes people are so quick to determine the worst,Tomas has to stomach alot of negativity on this forum,could be the reason why you will never see any of his fans blogging on this forum anytime soon?


Nat Says:

I’m a huge fan of Federer but honestly he isn’t the most gracious loser, and yeah neither is Berdych. Tbh all elite athletes would loathe not winning so I don’t blame them. I think what’s so astonishing and respectable about Novak in that sense is how well he handles defeat.

But anyways congratulations to Roger!


Hippy Chic Says:

Been respectful to your oponent is one thing,been a good loser is another thing altogether,and as the saying goes show me a good loser,and ill show a loser.


Polo Says:

Anderson was the most unhappy loser last night against Dimitrov and he could not hide it during the awards ceremony.


madmax Says:

Nirmal,

thanks for posting a little more of what berdy said. I based my opinion on what staff had said above. So apologies to Berdy.

Having said that, still don’t like the guy. He has had so many contratemps with a lot of the top players because of his overall personality which I think then gives the wrong impression of him.

Hippy chick, you and me both. We all make judgments don’t we? And I don’t remember there being one person on this forum that was an out and out Berdy fan.

Do you?


madmax Says:

Nat,

For the most part, you know, Roger is. He has so improved too, with age and experience as well as being in the limelight and media savvy, so I think that is a little harsh to be honest.

Novak is the best ambassador in terms of the word “losing”. He hugs them, squeezes them, talks to them, he is an absolute star. Don’t like it when Novak loses. He has always been my no. 2 favourite player. Class act.


Hippy Chic Says:

Madmax yeah true nobodys perfect,i think it would be shame if there were Berdych fans out there that actually wanted to post but felt it was actually pointless due to peoples feelings about the guy,IMO fans of all players should feel free to post,and i would love to see a more diverse group of fans on this forum,nice to see Volley whos a Tsonga fan,and Emily whos a Delpo fan,Von was a Roddick fan i believe?although their blogging is rare which is a shame.


andrea Says:

berdych to me is one of those guys who is exaspareting for a fan. almost makes it so many times and then doesn’t. clearly n control of a match and then he blows up. these things happen to all players but the volume with which they have happened with berdych is frustrating.

like delpo (who i like) berdych is one of those players that I lump in with pete sampras….big lugs who don’t offer much in terms of spunk or fire or personality on the court. i can’t fault them for that – not everyone can be a novak or a roger – but when it comes to assessing players, let’s face it. that alchemic mix of talent, personality and charm can make a difference.

the way berdych plays, he should be a contender for the big wins. it’s a shame. and the mental side of his game (or lack of it) comes across in other ways. he got frustrated against pospisil last summer and what does he do? he serves underhand to him. their careers aren’t over yet, but i will bet my house that you will never see rafa, andy, roger, novak or pretty much any of the top guys do that.

can’t ask for respect or fans if that’s how you play the game.


pigoonse Says:

Congratulations to Dimitrov for winning his first 500 title! Also congratulations to Dominka Cibulkova winning the wta title in Acapulco!


Colin Says:

How do these recent results affect the ratings? Will Federer perhaps leapfrog over Murray? I never grasp how these things work.


Giles Says:

@Colin. I have done some quick calculations, hope I’m right.
Andy will move to #5, Betdych 6, Delpo #7, Fed #8


Giles Says:

*Berdych*


pigoonse Says:

Dubai is a 500 title
Berdych will get 300 pts. for Finalist

Acapulco is a 500 title
Murray will get 180 for Semi-finalist

Dimitrov will get 500 and leapfrog a few spots closer to top ten. And he has grown. Grigor is now 90cm. And he has added ? amount of muscle. He is officially in a beast mode.


pigoonse Says:

^^ correction

Grigor is 190cm. He used to be the same height as Djokovic. Now he is as tall as Andy. I wonder if Grigor will keep growing.


pigoonse Says:

Federer will not be moving ahead of Murray, for now at any rate.

Berdych stays ahead of Murray and I did not look up del Potro.

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