In the semi-final of the entertainers at the Dubai Open, it was Andy Roddick who ran the show. With sledge-hammer serves touching 237 kmph, the American prevailed over Serbian second seed Novak Djokovic 7-6 (5), 6-4 in an hour and 29 minutes.

Djokovic knew from the start that the fast court suited Roddick more, and that the American would bank on his service. “I was nervous. I knew Andy would rely on his serve. It’s a big weapon, he used it very well,” an off-colour Djokovic said. He had eleven aces himself, but all in the first set.

Roddick said: “I can play tennis sometimes, you know. It’s not just the service. The week has been a different level for me and you can’t discount the fact that the coach has nothing to do with it,” he said, seemingly inspired by the split from Jimmy Connors.

If one is to believe the prankster, it is the hotel staff’s ‘Congratulations, Andy!’ notes after every match, and the accompanying bouquet that is the sole motivator at the tournament. Roddick’s waiting for one last note.

In the other semi-final, Feliciano Lopez pulled a bunny out of his hat, upsetting Russian Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 . The gracious Spaniard, in his second Dubai final, acknowledged that “luck” played a big role. Lopez had been down 0-3, but claimed it in 39 minutes, four blazing aces standing out.

Despite the win, Lopez’s game was inconsistent. What he did with the big serves, he undid with his double faults — a total of nine — and his first serve percentage never made it the 50 per cent mark.

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