"I'm really pleased with the way I handled today because it was tough," Berdych said in a courtside interview.
"I just need to focus on myself, because I need to bring my best tennis tomorrow," added the world number six after reaching a second successive Dubai final.
Kohlschreiber served for the first set at 5-4 but Berdych then upped his game. Federer meets Djokovic later on Friday.
(Reporting by Matt Smith; editing by Justin Palmer)
