Roger Federer joined an elite list of tennis players to have won 100 or more tennis titles at the highest level when he won the 2019 ATP Dubai Open on Saturday.
In doing so, Federer also avenged his fourth round defeat at the hands of Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Australian Open, as he defeated his opponent in straight sets in the final. Federer won 6-4, 6-4.
The only other men’s player to have won 100 singles titles is Jimmy Connors (109 titles) while there are a total of 10 now, including Federer to have at least 100 titles in all in men’s tennis – inclusive of men’s and mixed doubles.
Federer had had a rough beginning at the Dubai Open, having been stretched to three sets by both of his first two opponents. While he won 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 against Philipp Kohlschreiber in his opener, it was Fernando Verdasco who pushed him to three sets in the second round.
A tough 7-6, 6-4 win against Marton Fucsovics followed before the Federer of old looked to be coming back into his own. Borna Coric was brushed aside 6-2, 6-2 in the semi-final before this final win.
The Swiss maestro was off the blocks quite quickly today, breaking Tsitsipas’ service in the very first game. While the Greek tried to his level to make a comeback, Federer was too efficient to allow him any such leeway and won the set 6-4.
The second set looked to be headed into a tie-breaker with the two tied at 4-4 but Federer broke in the ninth game and served it out to clinch the title.
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