Dubai:World number one Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 to win his fifth Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships crown, and his first since 2013. It was the first men’s final between the top two seeds in Dubai since 2015, and Tsitsipas was denied the title for the second straight year after falling to Roger Federer in the 2019 final. It was also the fifth Dubai final in tournament history between the top two seeds, but the first time that the number one seed has won the contest.

 
Djokovic has now won 18 consecutive matches this season in a period that has seen him lift the ATP Cup trophy for Serbia and his eighth Australian Open crown as well as Dubai, and he now holds 79 career titles.

 
The match was close throughout, but it was Djokovic who held the edge in what was always an entertaining finale to the tournament. After saving a break point at 2-2, Djokovic claimed the only break of the first set to lead 5-3. Djokovic broke again to lead 3-2 in the second set but was unable to consolidate his lead as Tsitsipas levelled at 3-3. A final break to lead 5-4 though was decisive as Djokovic served out the match at love.

“We congratulate Novak Djokovic on achieving an incredible 79th career title and his fifth victory in Dubai, and Stefanos Tsitsipas on once again reaching the final,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free. “We have very much enjoyed watching both of them and all the other 30 players who have competed so well during the 28th year of the tournament. We congratulate too our 2020 doubles champions John Peers and Michael Venus.

Tournament Director Salah Tahlak added, “We have enjoyed two of the most competitive weeks in the history of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, with both champions having to save match point during the week before claiming their title. The ladies champion, Simona Halep, had to save a match point in her opening match against Ons Jabeur, and Novak Djokovic had to save three match points against Gael Monfils in the semi-finals. Now we look forward to an equally exciting tournament in 2021.”