Roger Federer claimed his first Dubai Open title in five years in 2012, restoring order in the desert. Federer took down Andy Murray in the title clash to celebrate the title and continue where he stopped in Rotterdam. Roger raised his level in the closing stages of the 2011 season and rattled off 17 straight wins to conquer Basel, Paris and the ATP Finals.
Rafael Nadal halted the Swiss in the 2012 Australian Open semi-final, and Federer returned to the winning course in February. Roger claimed the title in Rotterdam and sought another in Dubai. Federer needed 67 minutes to kick off the campaign with a 6-0, 7-6 victory over Michael Llodra.
The Swiss lost 14 points on serve and broke the Frenchman three times in the opener before a much closer battle in set number two that he closed 8-6 in the tie break. In the clash of the coevals and experienced players, Roger toppled Feliciano Lopez 7-5, 6-3 in 76 minutes.
He dropped nine points on serve and never faced troubles on serve. Roger scored one break in each set to reach the quarters.
Roger Federer took down Andy Murray in the 2007 Dubai final.
In the repeat of the 2007 final, Federer stormed over Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-4 in 70 minutes, creating 11 opportunities on the return and defending his serve beautifully to secure the semi-final spot.
Roger battled past Juan Martin del Potro 7-6, 7-6 for a place in the final, wasting all six break points but staying composed in the tie breaks to emerge at the top. Federer faced Andy Murray in the final and scored a 7-5, 6-4 triumph in an hour and 37 minutes for his fifth crown in the desert.
Both players struggled to find the first serve, and Federer saved two out of three break points to keep the pressure on the other side. Roger grabbed 40% of the return points and scored three breaks from nine opportunities.
The Swiss had more winners and the upper hand in the quickest rallies up to four strokes. He stayed in touch with Murray in the mid-range and more extended exchanges to prevail in straight sets and lift the title. Servers held after deuce in the opening games, and Andy created the first break chances in game six after Roger’s backhand error.
The Swiss repelled them and won four straight points to close the game with a volley winner. Serving at 5-5, Murray had to dig deep to defend the serve. He repelled the first four break points before Roger seized the fifth to secure a break and close the opener with three winners in game 12.
Carried by this momentum, Federer broke in the second set’s third game when Murray sprayed a backhand error. Roger cemented it with a hold at love before Andy pulled the break back in game six to prolong his chances. The Briton saved a break point to win the third game in a row and go 4-3 up, looking good to fight until the last point.
However, The Swiss broke him at 15 in game nine to forge the advantage and serve for the title at 5-4. Andy stayed in touch until deuce before Roger crossed the finish line with a forehand crosscourt winner to celebrate his second title of the season and the first in Dubai since 2007.
