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March 1, 2005
Winning this title is really special: Federer
By Ahmed Abbas Rizvi, Khaleej Times
DUBAI — It seems like Groundhog Day. Or deja vu, as they say. Roger Federer enters the final and so does Ivan Ljubicic and then the Swiss returns victorious.
The
Croatian is getting “sick of this man”, as he joked after losing his
third final of the season to Federer. But the ‘Basel Dazzler’ wants
more of it.
“I
hope we can keep this rivalry going,” said Federer, after his third
consecutive triumph at the DDF Dubai Men’s Open on Sunday. “It is good
for Ivan, good to see a different face on the other side of the net.”
The
world number one defeated the Croat 6-1 6-7 6-3 in two hours and 16
minutes to clinch his third title of the year and improve his
world-record unbeaten streak in finals to 16. The amazing Swiss is now
36-1 in his last 37 matches and has a 20-1 record for 2005. “We have
been the two most consistent this year. Of course, (Marat) Safin’s
(Australian Open win) was the big one,” added Federer. “I think we are
going to see each other around for the next couple of months.”
Like
Rotterdam the previous week, Ljubicic stretched Federer again, bouncing
back after being a set down and a break down in the second. He even
saved a match point in the second set tie-break to take the match into
the third.
“It’s
just disappointing,” said Federer. “Having a match point and being up
all the time, he just catches you on the last pace and you have to go
into extra time.
“There was a real dogfight, which didn’t look likely at all in the beginning.”
In
the beginning, after surviving three break points in the third game,
Federer raced away to take the first set comfortably at 6-1. And that’s
exactly the start he was looking for. “Last week was a really tough
one,” said Federer. “So I really wanted to get off to a good start this
time and I did.
“I
could really play with the confidence when he was still looking for his
rhythm. That took me all the way to 6-1, 3-1, 0-30. I almost ran away
with it but he came back and that is a good effort from his side,” said
the 23-year-old.
Ljubicic
fought back to break Federer and level scores at 4-4. He then saved a
match point in the tie-break with a thunderous serve and then put away
a weak second delivery by Federer to clinch the set. “I thought a
couple of times I was really unlucky to give him a chance to come back
in the match,” said Federer. “I think it took some bad choices in the
tie-break — serve and volleying at times, coming to the net on a few
occasions. I just thought I could have played a little more
consistently.” And with crowds screaming for Ljubicic, Federer had a
tough time in the third set as well.
“Mentally,
it was quiet an effort because the crowd was getting into it,” he
revealed. “So I was happy to be a break up in the third even though he
broke back. At least I had a cushion and could allow a break, which
eventually happened.”
For
Federer, the tense third set brought back memories of the defeat to
Safin at the Australian Open — his only loss in 37 matches.
“It
would have been a tough one to have lost after having a match point in
the final,” said Federer. “It brought back memories of the Safin match
in a way; after missing and then going into overtime in the fifth.”
“I suppose I could make a difference by playing really, really consistently.”
The confidence of the champion saw Federer through, though he admits it was tested.
“I
believe I can (win such close matches), and I think to believe is very
important,” he said. “I am very confident in moments like these. But
again, sometimes that isn’t enough if your opponent is a big server
like Ljubicic.
“They
can just serve their way through games and you have to battle it out on
your own service games. That makes it really hard mentally.”
In the end, though, the Swiss is delighted to have come out victorious.
“Winning
this title is really special,” said Federer, referring to his
three-peat in Dubai. “It is the first time I have done something like
this. “It was an interesting week. I really had to battle it out in the
beginning,” admitted the Swiss, who had two tight third set tie-breaks
in the first two rounds and was a match-point down against Juan Carlos
Ferrero in the second round.
“I
have a feeling I got a second chance this week in those first couple of
matches. To be still in the tournament and then sitting here as a
winner is quiet scary,” he said.
“I
think it is the first time that I have won a tournament after facing
match point.” With the tennis done and dusted, Federer is hoping to
return to Dubai soon — just to idle away.
“It’s
been a fantastic week. I have really enjoyed Dubai and I think
everybody knows that and feels that,” he said. “I am really looking
forward to the next time. I hope it’s not for a tournament; I hope it
is for leisure.”
Dubai is one of the favoured destinations for the Swiss, and he comes here frequently.
“I
just feel very comfortable here. It’s feels great, the climate is good
and I feel very welcome,” he explained when asked about his frequent
trips to the Emirate. “The first time I came here, I still remember,
and I liked it right away. From the second time on, I had the feeling
it is a fantastic place to be and has a pretty great future.
“Now, I have been here so many times for leisure and I have really got to know the place well.
“I am looking forward to coming back soon.”
And Federer is interested enough in Dubai to buy one of those luxurious villas on The Palm or other offshore projects.
“That would be really good,” he said. “I have been looking into it. But I haven’t taken any decision yet.
“But definitely that is something you can always consider. So I will be looking around, listing around and checking my emails.”
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