Berdych takes final seat in Dubai again and awaits Federer-Djokovic clash winner

DUBAI // Tomas Berdych booked his place in Saturday's final at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for the second successive year after dispatching Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5, 7-5 at the Aviation Club.

Berdych, seeded third here, lost to Novak Djokovic in last year's final and will face either the Serbian world No 2 or Roger Federer, the 17-time grand slam winner, who are scheduled to meet each other in the tournament's other semi-final later tonight.

“Both of them are the greatest, so choosing between them is too hard,” Berdych said when asked who he would prefer to meet. “I just need to focus on myself and be prepared because I will need to bring my best tennis.”

Berdych was slow out of the blocks against Kohlschreiber and was broken in the opening game by the unfancied German, but with his opponent serving for the set at 5-4, the world No 6 broke back. Kohlschreiber’s game then deserted him – he won just three points from the last four games of the set – and Berdych ensured his record of having not dropped a set all week remained in tact.

Kohlschreiber, ranked 20 places below his opponent, saved a breakpoint at 2-1 to level the set, but while serving to stay in the match at 5-6 struggled against Berdych’s powerful, precise backhand and was unable to hold. Berdych, who won in Rotterdam earlier this month, has now won 11 straight matches.

Also read: Berdych a slave of rhythm

On being in his second consecutive final, Berdych said: “It feels completely great and I am pleased with the way I handled the game. The second final in a row at a tournament that features so many top 10 guys is very positive for me.”

gmeenaghan@thenational.ae