Berdych beats Federer to reach Dubai final

In a back-and-forth tiebreaker, Berdych led 4-2 before needing to save two match points — the second with a powerful serve. The Czech player then wasted a set point before Federer failed to convert his third match point. Berdych finally clinched the set with a blistering return.

Berdych then broke to go up 3-2 in the third set, only for Federer to save two match points before holding for 5-4. But the sixth-ranked Czech finished it off when Federer hit a crosscourt forehand into the net.

“It feels really amazing,” Berdych told the crowd. “It's really just about one single point that I was able to make better than him. For me, it was a celebration of tennis. I like to play him so much because of what he has achieved.”

The second-ranked Federer has still not reached a final in 2013 and seemed at a loss to explain how he failed to finish off Berdych.

“Pity to lose that one, but Tomas did well to hang in there,” Federer said. “Obviously I leave this match with a lot of regrets.”

Federer only converted two of 11 break points and also saw his serve let him down at crucial moments, especially in the tiebreaker.

Earlier, the top-ranked Djokovic stormed past fourth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 7-6 (4), in a match that was marked by a disputed time violation call that was a key turning point.

The top-ranked Serb, bidding for his fourth Dubai title in five years, made the only break of the first set and won it when del Potro hit a return long. Del Potro then jumped out to 3-0 in the second courtesy of a much improved service game only to unravel when he was warned for taking too long on his serve.

Facing a break point at 3-1, the Argentine was given a warning by the chair umpire for taking more than the allotted 25 seconds. It sparked a flurry of boos in the packed stadium and prompted a furious Del Potro to argue with the umpire. He then hit a forehand wide to make it 3-2, lifting his racket as he was going to smash it. Djokovic ran off the next three games, but failed to serve out the match at 5-3.

However, the Serb clinched the tiebreaker when Del Potro hit another forehand long. The victory extends the Serb's winning streak to 17 matches — including his third Australian Open title — dating back to last year. His last loss was Oct. 31 at the Paris Masters to Sam Querrey.

“I was very pleased with the performance overall and the way I handled myself in the tough moments,” Djokovic said. “Mentally I stayed tough and believed that I could go all the way and win in straight sets. I didn't really allow myself to be negative. I have been very, very positive and confident.”

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