DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—Defending champion Novak Djokovic led Mikhail Youzhny 7-5, 2-0 Saturday before the Dubai Championship final was postponed because of rain.
The second-seeded Serb was serving at 30-15 in the third game of the second set when the second rain shower forced the final to Sunday. There was a 27-minute rain delay after the first set.
The two players broke each other twice in the opening set before Djokovic's decisive break in the 11th game.
Youzhny defeated Djokovic at the Rotterdam semifinals two weeks ago to even their career record to 3-3.