Federer wins Dubai Open ATP for the fifth time

Roger Federer of Switzerland lifts his trophy after winning his men's singles final match against Andy Murray (R) of Britain during the Dubai Tennis Championships March 3, 2012.  [Photo\Agencies]

DUBAI - Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer won the Dubai Open ATP for the fifth time after defeating Scotsman Andy Murray 7-5, 6-4 Saturday.

For 30-year-old Federer, the current number three in the ATP lists, it was the 72nd title in his career. The Swiss dominated in first service points in particular, scoring a success rate of 75 percent against Murray's 66 percent.

Murray, 24, currently ranked number four, improved his game during the second set and led 4-3 against Federer, but the Swiss multi-Grand Slam champion showed nerves and brought the victory home after scoring a second match point after one hour and 36 minutes on the Dubai hard court.

For Federer, Saturday's victory was a healing of his 2011 defeat, when he lost the Dubai final against the current ATP leader Novak Djokovic from Serbia. This year, Djokovic lost the semifinal against finalist Murray.