Roger Federer faced Novak Djokovic for the 2015 title in Dubai.
Finishing the 2014 season in the top two spots in the rankings, respectively, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer both enjoyed solid starts to their follow-up campaigns. After a quarterfinal showing in Doha, Djokovic went on to take the title at the Australian Open. Meanwhile, Federer opened up 2015 with the title in Brisbane, but was surprised early in Melbourne.
Both players returned to action at the 500-level event in Dubai, where each of them had claimed multiple victories over the years. As comfortable there as at any tournament, Djokovic and Federer proceeded to advance to the final. It was the seventh time the championship match would feature at least one of them and the second time they would face off for the title, with the other instance occurring in 2011 when Djokovic beat his rival in straight sets.
Bidding for his seventh title at the tournament, Federer—the defending champion—was pressed early by Djokovic, the four-time winner. The world No. 1 earned a couple of early break points, but was unable to capitalize as Federer came up with some crucial serving. The Swiss would go on to break Djokovic in the eighth game of the set, then serve it out to take the opener 6-3.
In the second set, Djokovic shored up his own game, going lockstep with Federer. Late in the frame, the Serb had an opportunity to break serve in the eighth game, but couldn’t convert. He earned a couple of set points on Federer’s serve two games later, but missed both chances. Serving at 5-5, 40-0, Djokovic let the lead slip away and when Federer hit a forehand return winner on break point, he stood a game away from the title. Djokovic gained one more break point when Federer served for the match, but the world No. 2 fought it off and would go on to clinch the title, his seventh at the event and replicating a feat he had accomplished at Wimbledon and Halle.
4
Federer snapped a four-match losing streak in finals against Djokovic with the win.
49
Djokovic remained on 49 career titles after the match, tied at that number on the all-time list with his coach at the time, Boris Becker.
2008
The last time a player besides Djokovic or Federer won the tournament was in 2008, when Andy Roddick claimed the title over Feliciano Lopez in the final.
