Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer in the 2006 Dubai Open final. The Swiss restored order in the desert a year later, beating Mikhail Youzhny and securing his fourth Dubai title in the previous five years. Roger wrapped up the 2006 season on a high note and kept that pace at the start of 2007 after winning the Australian Open.
After a well-deserved rest, the Swiss stood as a clear favorite in Dubai and conquered the title with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph over Mikhail Youzhny. Roger kicked off the action with a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 win over Kristian Pless. The world’s leading player struggled a bit in sets one and two, unable to break the rival’s resistance.
However, Federer controlled things in the decider to emerge at the top. Roger faced Daniele Bracciali in the second round and scored a 7-5, 6-3 victory with a single break in each set. Two players from outside the top-80 were behind Federer, and the first real test was just around the corner with the young Serb Novak Djokovic.
Roger Federer lifted his fourth Dubai title in 2007.
Roger ousted Novak 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 in over two hours for a place in the last four. A teenager broke Roger’s serve twice to stay in contention. Still, the Swiss crossed the finish line first with four breaks that carried him into the last four.
Federer found himself in the final following a 6-4, 7-5 triumph over Tommy Haas, earned with two breaks of serve. World no. 18 Mikhail Youzhny stood between Federer and his fourth Dubai title. The Swiss clinched a 6-4, 6-3 victory in an hour and 25 minutes for his 47th title and the 41st win in a row!
Roger and Mikhail met for the ninth time, and world no. 1 grabbed the ninth win. He suffered two breaks but controlled the scoreboard with a rock-solid display on the return. Roger created 18 break chances and converted four to emerge at the top.
It was not the best start for Federer, who got broken in the encounter’s first game following Youzhny’s return winner. The Russian fired a backhand down the line winner in game two to cement the break and settle into a great rhythm.
Federer got his name on the scoreboard in the third game with back-to-back aces and was back on the positive side when Youzhny hit a double fault in the next one. The Russian had to dig deep in game eight to stay in touch, dispatching two break points before the Swiss seized the third to move 5-3 up and serve for the opener.
Suddenly, Mikhail found the zone again and blasted a backhand down the line winner to pull the break back and extend the set. However, Youzhny lost serve again in game ten and handed the opener to the Swiss. As was expected, Roger had the drive and earned a break in the second set’s second game to move closer to the finish line.
Federer raced into a 5-2 lead and created five match points on the return in game eight. Youzhny found a way to dismiss them and survive. Still, Federer fired three winners on his serve at 5-3 to seal the deal and celebrate his fourth Dubai crown in the last five years.
Also, Roger embraced an unreal 60 wins in the previous 61 encounters since Halle last June to extend his dominance over the rest of the Tour!
