Novak Djokovic defeated Gilles Simon of France 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 on Friday (February 27) and has advanced to the finals at the Dubai Championships.

This is the third ranked Djokovic first final of the season. He will play David Ferrer of Spain, who defeated Richard Gasquet of France 6-2, 6-2.

Djokovic didn’t start the match off real well and was broken in the first set, but came back for a victory.

“I feel a bit lucky, but I think you have to work for luck,” Djokovic said. “It doesn’t just fall through the sky. I think I fought my way through in the match, really believed until the end, and mentally, this is a very important win for me.”

Ferrer looked very good in his match against Gasquet and was consistent and focused.

“This was the best match of the season for me,” the 26-year-old Spaniard said. “I was very consistent and very focused. But even though the score reads 6-2, 6-2, it was a tough match and I think I was a bit lucky as well, because I saved a few break points during the match.”

Who do you think will take away the Dubai Championship title? More photos from the Djokovic/Simon match below. Read more

Rafael Nadal won the Barcelona title Sunday. It wasn’t in parade fashion as many of his recent victories have been. It took a three-set effort (6-1, 4-6, 6-1) for Nadal to dispatch David Ferrer. With the win, Nadal became the first man to win four consecutive Barcelona titles.

I wonder how it feels. That whole making history part. And winning a professional tennis tournament. And being a man.

Rafa owned Ferrer in the first and third sets; Ferrer just couldn’t carry his game plan from the second set to the third which is why Rafa is the one biting the trophy instead of his countryman. Is it a Spanish thing? A Rafa thing? Apparently that trophy literally tastes goooood.

(Image by Newscom)

Yeah, I know the Australian Open is still going on. I know Venus Williams was beat by Ana Ivanovic but so do you probably. And Novak Djokovic is in the process of dismantling David Ferrer. But I feel like all I’ve talked about is what the stars are doing on the court (or not doing).

So I thought a nice break of pace might be to look at how these stars act off the court - namely in the press conference following their wins or losses.

Media attention is pretty paramount in an athlete’s life - especially a professional athlete. I like to think I know a fair bit about the media, press conferences and all that goes with it considering I work in that profession.

It comes as no surprise that Roger Federer is just about the best you can have in front of the microphone. He fields questions like he fields Andy Roddick’s powerful serves.

Speaking of Roddick - he’s a bit of an unleashed beast in the reporters’ room. After losing in the 2008 Australian Open, Roddick played nasty in the following press conference.

One reporter pointed out that Roddick had been “sweating buckets” on the court. Roddick’s response? “Yeah, I have a sweating problem. It’s been a real problem in my personal life.”

To another who mentioned the match had slipped away from him, Roddick responded, “Is that a question? Or are you having a monologue here?”

Easy does it on the barbs there Roddick. Just because you played a piss-poor match doesn’t mean you have to be a piss-pot in the media room.

Maybe I’m a little tainted from my job or maybe I’m just old-school but I’m all about class. Win or lose, be classy.

And speaking of - Djokovic is really turning on the heat. He looks good - and he’s being classy right now…go Serbia, go.

I’ve completely run out of creative titles to say that Roger Federer won another title so I used a completely inane one.

The world No. 1 demolished Rafael Nadal yesterday in a 6-4, 6-1 clinic and ousted David Ferrer Sunday 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in another show of dominating tennis. The victory gave Federer his fourth Masters Cup title as he put to rest any mumurings about the possible changing of the guard at the top of the tennis game.

This is what Federer had to say about the match: “I suprise myself at times, obviously. Once I get on a roll, it’s so hard for my opponents to come back. I don’t allow them.”

Really…we hadn’t noticed.

And here is what the defeated Ferrer had to say: “Roger is the best player in history. You don’t enjoy a beating like that. He can do it all. I’m not on the same level.”

Thanks for your time Ferrer and congratulations on finishing the season at No. 5 in the world. Good luck the next time you face Federer, you’ll need it.

David Ferrer dismissed Richard Gasquet with an effective 6-1, 6-1 showing. After Ferrer beat Rafael Nadal earlier in the tournament, Ferrer’s win allowed Nadal to move on into the semifinals of the Masters Cup in Shanghai.

Thank you, and good day sir. The two are actually good friends - accordingly. I don’t personally know that. I mean…I think I may have lost Nadal’s cell number. I knew I needed to hang on to that but, shucks, guess I can’t get in touch with him for our weekly lunch. Bumm-er.

Anyway. They’re both in. Yay. But it’s always interesting - and I’m sure a nerve strainer - when your fate is in someone else’s hands. For Nadal - Ferrer pulled through.

In the movie Anchorman, the reporter who gets a lame-o assignment comes on the air saying, “Panda watch.” Well, this is not near as lame nor does it sound as cool rolling off the tongue but - Masters Cup watch.

I’m a day behind, but Spaniard David Ferrer clinched the sixth spot for the Masters Cup which leaves *drum roll* two spots left! Woo! (Speaking of, on a swimming roster today, there was a person who’s last name was “Woo.”)

Fernando Gonzalez and Tommy Haas are serving the front of the pack as the race for the final two spots resumes at the Paris Masters series tournament Sunday.

Stay tuned for more Masters Cup watch.