Tennis - Federer roars back to beat Djokovic in Dubai

Roger Federer rolled back the years to beat Novak Djokovic 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the semi-finals of the Dubai Championship on Friday, his first victory in four meetings with the world number two.

Federer, 32, rarely troubled the Serb in the first set and the pivotal moment came at 2-2 in the second when the Swiss saved a break point with a delicious backhand pass.

The 17-times Grand Slam champion went on to hold serve and then broke in a rain-interrupted game - the players leaving the court for only a few minutes - with a backhand bullet from the baseline.

Federer clinched the set with an ace before Djokovic, 26, double-faulted in the first game of the decider to gift his opponent a crucial early break.