March 5, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
World number three-ranked Roger Federer of Switzerland defeated Great Britain’s Andy Murray to win his fifth Dubai Championship title, defeating Murray in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4. Federer had not dropped a set in the entire tournament and this is his fifth title in the past seven resulting in a total of 72. Federer now has a 7-8 record against Murray after having a strong groundstroke and drop shot game. Murray came out of a semifinal win against Djokovic with 85 percent first services; however, in this match against Federer he served just 48 percent.
"This is perfect. This is great," said Federer. "Any title is a good one, I’ll tell you that. I have a losing record against Murray."
Federer saved two break points when he was down in the first set and held the first when Murray hit a forehand long. “The match was close, I think in both sets, I just gave myself more opportunities than Andy did overall,” said Federer.
“For sure I made a few too many mistakes in the second, and he was playing a lot more aggressive than in the first set,” Murray said. “Sets can come down to just a couple points. You get a lucky shot here or one great shot and you can break the set wide open.”
Federer is now in New York where he will compete at an exhibition match in Madison Square Garden Monday night, March 5th against Andy Roddick.
