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Roger Federer: rocky but winning start at Dubai Tennis Championships

By Harry Floyd

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates winning the first set in his fourth round match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during day seven of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates winning the first set in his fourth round match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during day seven of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images) /
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Swiss legend Roger Federer enters the 2019 Dubai Tennis Championships as the tournament’s greatest winner in men’s singles. He sneaks through his opener.

Roger Federer is off to a rocky, but winning start at the 2019 Dubai Tennis Championships. The Swiss tennis legend kicks off his time in Dubai with a three set victory over German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber. Federer wins their match, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

Heading into the match, the second seeded Federer stated that his primary goal was just to make it through and he did just that. After Kohlschreiber fought back by winning the second set, Federer dug deep and rediscovered his game in the third.

Earlier this week, we asked whether or not Federer was considered the favorite this year in Dubai… Our conclusion is that he is. Federer boasts an unprecedented seven titles in men’s singles at the event. Even though he is not the top seed this year, you cannot bet against the Swiss legend at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The tournament’s top seed in Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori awaits his opening round opponent in Benoît Paire. Nishikori is just ahead of Federer in the men’s singles rankings right now on the 2019 ATP Tour.

Federer is playing in his first event since action at the Australian Open. There, he reached the round of 16. Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic would continue his dominance on the Grand Slam circuit, winning a third consecutive major tournament title in men’s singles. Federer is looking to get back to his old self in his first tournament since Melbourne Park. Up next for the second seed in Dubai is Spain’s Fernando Verdasco.

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The Spanish tennis veteran is coming off of a win over Thomas Fabbiano. Roger Federer has scoreboard against Verdasco. He dominates their ATP singles meetings over the years and has to be considered the favorite in their upcoming match. Until he stumbles for longer than a few games in a row, Federer ought to be a pick to win right along with the top seeded Nishikori. We remain optimistic that the Swiss star has the edge.

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