Novak Djokovic has predicted a more aggressive, attacking game in this month’s Masters series events in the US after clinching a fourth Dubai Open title with a 7-5 6-3 win over Tomas Berdych on Saturday.
Playing his first tournament since retaining his Australian Open title, the world No.1 claimed his fifth title in six tournaments and extended his unbeaten run to 18 matches.
It was an athletically aggressive performance against world No.6 Berdych who had knocked out Roger Federer, the titleholder, in the semi-finals.
Djokovic believed his victory on Dubai’s fast courts would stand him in good stead with the year’s opening Masters event getting underway at Indian Wells, California in the next week.
“I haven’t always been the player who loves to play on the fast, super-fast surfaces, but I’m happy because during the week I can also work on my aggression, coming into the net, using my serve better,” he said.
“That’s what I have done in this tournament and in particular over the years.
“I have been trying to work on a few things that can give me more variety in the game, and I can use that in the tournaments to come.”
Berdych had chances to take control of the first set after making the first break of serve, but missed three chances to consolidate it, and also narrowly failed to convert three crucial break points in the following game.
These moments suggested that the biggest difference between the two men is a mental one, something indicated again near the end when Djokovic coped with a time violation warning from the umpire as he was serving for the match.
“To prevail like this and to be the last one standing is thrilling for me,” said Djokovic of his 36th career title.
“It was a very close match and could have gone either way. It was never going to be an easy final because Tomas is a fantastic player. He’s been on the tour a long time and is very experienced.
“He beat Federer in an incredible match,” Djokovic added, referring to the three match points Berdych saved while halting the Grand Slam record-holder.