Comeback kid Djokovic makes Basel final

2009/11/08

BASEL: Novak Djokovic rallied from the brink yesterday, saving three match points in spectacular fashion to win a dramatic semi-final at the Swiss Indoors over Radek Stepanek 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, 6-2.

The world No 4 Serb will await an opponent from three-time champion Roger Federer and former Basel schoolmate Marco Chiudinelli.

Djokovic, winner of three titles in 2009, moved to his ninth final of the year as he stays the leader in ATP matches won in 2009 on 70.

Djokovic looked to be on the brink of a loss, trailing a set and 4-5 after Stepanek had taken the lead with his sixth ace in the previous game.

Facing three match points in the tenth game after a double-fault, the second-seeded Djokovic calmly saved two with winners while a Stepanek error accounted for the third.

A break in the next game for 6-5 and a forehand winner to end the set breathed new life into Djokovic, the player sporting the best post-US Open record on the ATP at 13-1 since losing to Federer in the New York semis.

Djokovic began the final set with a break and closed out Stepanek with a break in he seventh game and an error from the Czech a game later to escape in two and a half hours.

"I played well and I'm so happy to be in the final," said the winner. "The public really helped me when I was 4-5, love 40 down, they got me though.

"I'm very proud to get to this final, I'm fresh and I'm ready."

World No 4 Djokovic leads the ATP in hardcourt wins (45) and has recorded at least 60 match wins for the third straight season. He has now won 70 matches for the first time in a season. -- AFP