Top seed Novak Djokovic sealed his 12th ATP tour title with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Spaniard David Ferrer in the final of the Dubai Championships on Saturday.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds up his trophy after winning his final match against David Ferrer of Spain at the ATP Dubai Tennis Championships, February 28, 2009.[Xinhua/Reuters]

It was the Serb's first title since winning the Tennis Masters Cup in November and came after he was stopped in the Marseille semifinals last week by eventual champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

"It's a very important title," Djokovic told reporters. "I had not started the year the way I maybe wanted to and the way maybe people were expecting me to. I made some major changes - my racket, which was quite risky at this time.

"But as the season is going on I feel more comfortable with the racket and I feel comfortable on the court more. I try to release the pressure that I have and just play the tennis that I played in the first part of 2008, and if I do so I think I will be pretty successful."

Officials had to remove a light covering of sand from the court with brooms and blowers before Saturday's final could start.

When play got underway in sultry conditions there was little to choose between the two baseliners.

Most of the games went easily with serve until Djokovic broke the deadlock when fourth-seeded Ferrer netted a forehand after a long rally to give the Serb a 4-2 lead.

Djokovic was unable to maintain his advantage, though, netting a backhand in the next game after another lengthy rally.

Djokovic broke again to lead 5-3 but, having the opportunity to serve out the set, he dropped the next eight points. In a bizarre turnaround, Djokovic won eight of the next nine points to take the set when Ferrer netted a low backhand volley.

Good start

Djokovic made a good start to the second set, breaking to lead 2-0 when Ferrer again netted a low volley.

Ferrer, who was seeking his first title since winning S'Hertogenbosch last year, appeared to be heading to an easy defeat as he trailed 4-1 but he pulled himself back into contention by breaking for 4-3.

A double-fault cost him his serve in the next game and left Djokovic to serve out the match.

In a dramatic finale Ferrer then held a break point but made a forehand error and Djokovic clinched victory when he disputed a serve that was called wide but Hawkeye showed it to be an ace.

"I was a bit fortunate in the last game that he missed that forehand on the break ball, because he was returning quite impressive, that game on 5-3," said Djokovic.

"But I stayed with him. I knew that I had a chance on his service games all the time because I was returning really well, and I just needed to keep my focus on my serve.

"And it worked well, especially in the last moments in the last point."

Ferrer was pleased with his week and acknowledged that his opponent had been a worthy winner.

"Well, he plays better than me. He played very, very focused on the match," said Ferrer.

"I played a good game. I'm happy with my game, but maybe the key was he's a better tennis player than me. He was really fast, very regular. And the serve, he has a better serve than me in important moments, and the serve was the key, the only difference."

(Agencies via China Daily March 2, 2009)