Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were the top seeds at the ATP 500 event in Dubai 2011. Two great rivals reached the title clash and set their 21st meeting. Novak scored a 6-3, 6-3 triumph in an hour and 12 minutes for his eighth victory over Roger, lifting the trophy and extending his perfect run since the start of the season.
Novak was a two-time defending champion in the desert, toppling a great rival and becoming the second player after Roger with a three-peat in Dubai. Federer had shown the most before the final, losing serve twice in four matches and advancing into his sixth Dubai final.
Novak lost a set against Feliciano Lopez and Tomas Berdych, doing enough to pass those obstacles and set the anticipated final clash against Roger. He toppled the Swiss for the second time that year after the Australian Open semi-final to reduce the deficit in their H2H.
Novak left Roger far behind, losing 13 points behind the initial shot and dropping serve once from two opportunities offered to his opponent.
Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in the 2011 Dubai final.
The Swiss failed to match those numbers, giving away almost half of the points behind the initial shot and getting broken four times from ten chances given to the Serb.
Federer had more winners but also nearly 30 unforced errors. He failed to break Novak’s defense and had too many forced errors after Djokovic perfectly spread him over the court. The Serb had the advantage in the shortest points, taming Roger’s initial shot and groundstrokes while dominating the mid-range and longer rallies to emerge as deserved champion.
Federer held at 15 with a forehand winner in the opening game. Novak was ready for every challenge, though, landing an ace in game two before breaking Roger a few minutes later after a loose backhand from the Swiss. A booming serve sent Djokovic 3-1 up, and he earned another chance on the return in the next one.
Novak wasted it after a rare forehand error, and Roger saved the second with a forehand winner to remain within one break deficit. Three service winners pushed Djokovic 4-2 in front, and he delivered another excellent hold in game eight to maintain the lead.
Novak grabbed his second break at 5-3 to wrap up the opener in style after 34 minutes. The Serb kicked off the second set with a hold at 15 and faced problems at 1-1 when his backhand found the net. Novak defended the first break point but fell on the second after a loose backhand that pushed Roger 2-1 up.
The Swiss held at 15 with a service winner a few minutes later to confirm the advantage and settle into a fine rhythm. However, the Swiss missed a smash in the sixth game and brought the Serb back to 3-3. Djokovic gained a boost and fired a service winner in the seventh game that sent him in front.
Roger played a wayward backhand in game eight to drop serve for the second straight time and find himself 5-3 behind. Novak served for the title in game nine and moved over the top when Roger’s forehand landed long, securing his third straight Dubai crown.
