Dubai Open: Looking back at Novak Djokovic's 4 title runs

Bhargav
Dubai Duty Free Tennis - Day Eight
Dubai Duty Free Tennis - Day Eight

#3 2011: Beat Roger Federer 6-3, 6-3

Djokovic toppled 4-time winner Roger Federer in the final of the 2011 Dubai Open
Djokovic toppled 4-time winner Roger Federer in the final of the 2011 Dubai Open

Having captured his second Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open, a confident Djokovic reeled off successive wins over Michael Llodra, Feliciano Lopez, Florian Mayer and Tomas Berdych to set up a title showdown with four-time champion Roger Federer.

In the pair's second meeting of the season (Djokovic had beaten the then 16-time Grand Slam champion in straight sets in the Australian Open semifinal), it was the younger of the two players who made the brighter start.

Djokovic broke the Federer serve in the third game of the final en route to taking the opener 6-3. Federer failed to hold on to an early break in the second, as Djokovic effected two more breaks to emulate the Swiss himself as the only players to do a three-peat in Dubai.

In a banner season, Djokovic would embark on a 41-0 start to the year and lift Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open among a rich haul of 10 titles. He also became the first player from Serbia to climb atop the ATP singles rankings.

#4 2013: Beat Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-3

Djokovic lifted his 4th Dubai Open title in 2013
Djokovic lifted his 4th Dubai Open title in 2013

In one of his most dominant performances at the tournament, Djokovic did not drop a set in his first four matches in 2013. He saw off Viktor Troicki, Roberto Bautista Agut, Andreas Seppi and Juan Martin del Potro to reach his fourth Dubai Open final in five years.

A straight-sets win (7-5, 6-3) over Roger Federer's semifinal conqueror Tomas Berdych hauled in Djokovic's fourth title at the tournament from as many finals. In the process the Serb also extended his perfect start to the season to 13-0.

Having become the first player in the Open Era to win a three-peat at the Australian Open, Djokovic lifted his 36th career singles title and second of the season with the win over Berdych.

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Edited by Musab Abid
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