Berdych upsets Federer to reach Dubai final
Friday - 3/1/2013, 1:55pm ET
Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during the semi-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Regi Varghese)
MICHAEL CASEY
AP Sports Writer
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Tomas Berdych saved three match points and upset defending champion Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4 Friday to earn a place in the Dubai Championships final against Novak Djokovic.
In the 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.
The second-ranked Federer hasn't reached a final in 2013.
Earlier, Djokovic rallied past fourth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 7-6 (4).
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