Dubai - Arabstoday
Novak Djokovic defeated Mikhail Youzhny to win one of the most dramatic finals in the 18-year history of the tournament in 2010. It was also the first time in his career that the Serbian had successfully defended a title. A spectacular storm caused play to be suspended with Djokovic leading 7-5, 2-0 and, when play resumed the next day, Youzhny fought back to force a third set before Djokovic claimed a 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 victory. Viral infection The top seed was Tommy Robredo, but he was beaten in the quarter-finals by Jurgen Melzer. Roger Federer was forced to withdraw at the last moment after contracting a virus that made it difficult for him to breathe. The men's doubles title went to Simon Aspelin and Paul Hanley after they defeated Lukas Dlouhy and Leander Paes 6-2, 6-3 in the final. Venus Williams also retained her title by beating fourth seed Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 7-5. The third seeded American did not lose a set all week. Top seed Caroline Wozniacki suffered a 6-2, 7-5 third round defeat by Shahar Peer, and Peer then went on to reach the semi-finals when eighth seed Li Na retired with a back injury with Peer leading 7-5, 3-0. The second seed was Svetlana Kuznetsova, but she was also beaten in the third round, by Russian qualifier Regina Kulikova. The women's doubles was won by Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who beat Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik 7-6, 6-4 in the final.