It has not been all plain sailing for Roger Federer in Dubai but he is confident his best is still to come. AP
It has not been all plain sailing for Roger Federer in Dubai but he is confident his best is still to come. AP
It has not been all plain sailing for Roger Federer in Dubai but he is confident his best is still to come. AP
It has not been all plain sailing for Roger Federer in Dubai but he is confident his best is still to come. AP

Dubai Tennis: Roger Federer confident best still to come as he bids for 100th ATP title


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Roger Federer is confident his best is still to come at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as he prepares for Friday's semi-final with Borna Coric.

The seven-time champion has not convinced on his run to the last four, dropping a set to Philipp Kohlschreiber and Fernando Verdasco in the first two rounds, before he was pushed hard by Marton Fucsovics in the quarter-finals on Thursday, saving two set points in the first set before prevailing 7-6, 6-4.

As well as winning an eighth Dubai crown the other incentive for the 37 year old is that winning the competition will give him the 100th ATP tournament title of his career.

Of his current form, the 20-time major winner said after his win over Fucsovics: "I believe I've gotten better as the tournament went on. But I think that's always a logical thing to happen.

"It's very rare that you come out and play a horrible match in the quarters or in the semis of a tournament because you've achieved a certain level and a sort of standard of play.

"I think as the tournament goes deeper, you get used to the ball conditions, the flight of the ball, your serve patterns, being able to hit the corners and the spots better, more frequently. It makes you play better."

Federer lost twice to Coric in 2018 and speaking before the Croatian defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili he said he expected another difficult encounter.

"We've had a couple tough matches as of late," he said. "He beat me on a few of those occasions. I think we're 2-2 in the last four maybe. From that standpoint, I know I have my work cut out."

Federer's match with Coric is due to start around 7pm, with the first semi-final between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Gael Monfils beginning at 5pm.

EU's%2020-point%20migration%20plan
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The specs: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Price, base / as tested: Dh101,140 / Dh113,800


Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder


Power: 148hp @ 5,500rpm


Torque: 250Nm @ 2,000rpm


Transmission: Eight-speed CVT


Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km

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If you go

Flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.

The stay

Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.

Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

Section 375

Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Richa Chadha, Meera Chopra & Rahul Bhat

Director: Ajay Bahl

Producers: Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak & SCIPL

Rating: 3.5/5

Results:

6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres

Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m

Winner: Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m

Winner: Spotify, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm: UAE Oakes | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m

Winner: Divine Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m

Winner: Mythical Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m

Winner: Major Partnership, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor

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