Federer wins seventh Dubai open title

Dubai, March 1

Swiss superstar Roger Federer defeated World No.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-5 to win the Dubai duty free championships for the seventh time at the Dubai Aviation Club Stadium here.

In the first set on Saturday, the Serbian showed particular weakness in his first serves of which he won 70 percent, while Federer won 85 percent. When the game came to a deuce at 3-3, Federer broke Djokovic the first time and then led in 5-3 before winning the first set 6-3, reports Xinhua.

Djokovic needed three long sets in the semifinal beating Tomas Berdych on Friday, while Federer defeated Borna Coric in a two-set match.

Djokovic had led 5-4 in the second set, but he failed to break Federer's game despite a 15-40 lead. At 5-5, Federer suddenly appeared highly motivated. He turned a 0-40 into a deuce when Djokovic served, and the Serbian lost focus and made more unforced errors.

"I think we both gave the best," said Federer.

Asked about his 9,000th ace of his career, he said: "That is really a huge number. I hope to play here also next year." Seventeen-time Grand Slam champion Federer scored a total of 12 aces during the final, while Djokovic scored just one.

IANS