Roger Federer Beats Novak Djokovic to Lift Dubai Open Title

Roger Federer scored the 84th title win of his career, kept his nose in front in his personal rivalry with Novak Djokovic, and equalled his best achievement at any tournament by winning the Dubai Open for the seventh time.

The Grand Slam record-holder from Switzerland beat the world number one from Serbia 6-4, 7-5 in a colourful success which took Federer's title haul here equal to those of Halle and Wimbledon. It also put him 20-17 up against Djokovic

Federer served superbly, his 12 aces taking his career total past 9,000, something only three other players have done since 1991.

He was also creative, forthright, and sometimes risk-taking in the frequency with which he attacked the net.

It required only one break of serve in the first set, in the eighth game, to give Federer the thrust he needed to close out the first set.

And one break was enough in the second, coming in the eleventh game.