Novak Djokovic’s Storm in the Desert: Serb Blasts Roger Federer in Dubai

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: February 27, 2011

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The atmosphere was electric.

The packed center court within the exclusive environs of the Aviation Club Tennis Center buzzed in anticipation like volts down a power cable ahead of the 21st showdown between two of the finest that tennis has to offer.

On one side stood Novak Djokovic, dressed like bruise-dark thunder-cloud in purple-black. On the other side was Roger Federer, a yellow burst of sunshine breaking through the gathering cumulonimbus.

With the temperature under the indigo sky at 27 degrees, this had the feel of a gathering storm over the desert oasis, of a serene blue rectangular pool about to be battered by a battle of the elements. 

The nature of the two protagonists’ contest was there for all to see in their history.

Federer and Djokovic had met 20 times before; 16 times in a final or a semi-final; six times in the last six months.

They had exchanged the No. 2 and 3 rankings four times in just seven months and were currently separated by just 85 points.

Since Wimbledon, Federer had won 48 out of 53 matches—but two of the losses were to Djokovic at the intervening Majors in New York and Melbourne.

They were both on a streak of form, with a title each in 2011 and a big win from each of their last two matches: in the WTFs for Federer and in the Australian Open for Djokovic. Each was the last man to beat the other.

Little wonder theirs has become the rivalry of the moment. Little wonder the atmosphere was electric.

Federer opened serve cleanly to take the first game with his signature off forehand drive. Djokovic, in return, proved that his serve is a different animal from last year. On that occasion, he had made 12 double faults on his way to the title against Mikhail Youzhny: today, he made none.

Djokovic then proved why his two-handed backhand is one of the most devastating shots in tennis. First a down-the-...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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