Top-seeded Novak Djokovic rallied to beat third-seeded Gilles Simon of France 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 yesterday in the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The third-ranked Serb reached his first final of the season and will next face David Ferrer of Spain, who beat Richard Gasquet of France 6-2, 6-2.

Djokovic was broken early in the deciding set, but he broke back in the sixth game and then closed out the match with another break in the final game.