Djokovic takes Abu Dhabi title ahead of Open

Novak Djokovic’s preparation for the new ATP season has gone well after he retained the Abu Dhabi Championship.

The Serbian world number two beat Spain’s David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2 in the final on Saturday, in a repeat of last year’s final against Ferrer.

The first set was close until Djokovic broke the world number three when they were tied at five games all, Djokovic going on to win 7-5.

Frrer’s serve was broken in the first game of the second set.

From then on it was fairly routine for Djokovic, who is gearing up to defend his Australian open title in January.

The 26-year-old double-faulted three times, but he eventually made sure of victory with an ace.

Becker on hand

Djokovic’s new coach, tennis great Boris Becker, was courtside to watch the victory. 

Djokovic will not take part in the official ATP season begins in Doha, Qatar, next week.

He said he wanted to move to Melbourne ahead of the start of Australian Open on January 13, as he aims win the tournament for a fourth straight year.

“My first tournament is going to be here and the first official one is going to be in Melbourne,” Djokovic said on Friday.

“I’m not going to play in the opening weeks of the season because I feel like I didn’t have enough time to get myself in the right shape for competition mode.

“It’s why I’ve selected to play only in these few matches here and then move on to Melbourne.”

Djokovic has been in fine form during the exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi.

He overcame Tsonga in 74 minutes to enter the final of the Mubadala Championship for the third time in three years.

Ferrer had beaten world number one Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-4 in an all-Spanish semi-final.