• 2003. In his second year competing in Dubai, and in an era when he still had not won a grand slam, Federer gave a glimpse of the form that would see him become the dominant force in men's tennis. He did not drop a set on his way to the title as No 5 seed, beating Jiri Novak 6-1, 7-6 in the final. All photos AFP
    2003. In his second year competing in Dubai, and in an era when he still had not won a grand slam, Federer gave a glimpse of the form that would see him become the dominant force in men's tennis. He did not drop a set on his way to the title as No 5 seed, beating Jiri Novak 6-1, 7-6 in the final. All photos AFP
  • 2004. Federer became the first man to ever retain the Dubai title. He beat the likes of Marat Safin and Tommy Robredo on his way to the final. The world No 1 was given a scare in the final as he dropped the first set to Feliciano Lopez but hit back to win 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
    2004. Federer became the first man to ever retain the Dubai title. He beat the likes of Marat Safin and Tommy Robredo on his way to the final. The world No 1 was given a scare in the final as he dropped the first set to Feliciano Lopez but hit back to win 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
  • 2005. A hat-trick of championships came Federer's way here, though it was not straightforward with three of his five matches going to three-setters. He beat Andre Agassi in the semi-finals and then beat his current coach Ivan Ljubicic 6-1, 6-7, 6-3 in the final.
    2005. A hat-trick of championships came Federer's way here, though it was not straightforward with three of his five matches going to three-setters. He beat Andre Agassi in the semi-finals and then beat his current coach Ivan Ljubicic 6-1, 6-7, 6-3 in the final.
  • 2007. After losing the 2006 final to Rafael Nadal it was back to winning ways for Federer a year later. He beat Novak Djokovic, then an upcoming talent who was No 14 in the world, in the quarter-finals and defeated Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-3 to claim the trophy.
    2007. After losing the 2006 final to Rafael Nadal it was back to winning ways for Federer a year later. He beat Novak Djokovic, then an upcoming talent who was No 14 in the world, in the quarter-finals and defeated Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-3 to claim the trophy.
  • 2012. There was a wait for title No 5 to come the Swiss player's way but it came in 2012. He did not drop a set all tournament, beating Juan Martin del Potro in the semi-finals and then Andy Murray in the final 7-5, 6-4.
    2012. There was a wait for title No 5 to come the Swiss player's way but it came in 2012. He did not drop a set all tournament, beating Juan Martin del Potro in the semi-finals and then Andy Murray in the final 7-5, 6-4.
  • 2014. This was the year of the fightback. In the semi-finals he came back from losing the first to Djokovic to prevail, and then in the final he did the same to Tomas Berdych, who had beaten him in the last four in 2013, as he was triumphant 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
    2014. This was the year of the fightback. In the semi-finals he came back from losing the first to Djokovic to prevail, and then in the final he did the same to Tomas Berdych, who had beaten him in the last four in 2013, as he was triumphant 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
  • 2015. Again Federer did not drop a set as he won his seventh and most recent title. Djokovic was his opponent in the final and he proved too good on the night as a 6-3, 7-5 success came his way.
    2015. Again Federer did not drop a set as he won his seventh and most recent title. Djokovic was his opponent in the final and he proved too good on the night as a 6-3, 7-5 success came his way.

Dubai Tennis 2019: how much prize money is on offer?


Steve Luckings
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The Dubai Duty Free ATP Tennis Championships will once again field a competitive line-up, after kicking off on Sunday.

Roger Federer bids for an eighth crown when he gets his campaign under way against Philipp Kohlschreiber.

One player looking to deny the 20-time grand slam champion is Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, who begins his quest for a first Dubai Tennis Championship crown against Australia's Matthew Ebden.

The winner of Saturday's men's final will claim a winner's cheque of US$523,330 (over Dh1.9 million) from the $2,887,895 purse.

Belinda Bencic, winner of Saturday's WTA final against Petra Kvitova, banked a cheque for $520,615.

The ATP 500 tournament takes place at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre in Dubai.