DUBAI (AFP) – Roger Federer began his charge for a 100th career title by dispatching Philipp Kohlschreiber, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, on a windy centre court in the first round of the Dubai Championships.
Second seed Federer had to deal with a tricky opponent and strong gusts at the Aviation Club in front of nearly 5,500 fans at the Aviation Club, needing all three sets to make it past the opening round.
The Swiss, a seven-time Dubai champion, had to go up a gear in the third set to advance to a second round meeting with Fernando Verdasco after German Kohlschreiber made a match of it by winning the second.
Federer, who is seeded behind Kei Nishikori, swept the opening set after breaking in the first game but was pegged back.
Kohlschreiber, ranked 31st in the world, made a match of it in the second, breaking Federer three times on his way to taking the set 6-3.
The final game of the set was a nine-minute thriller, with the Swiss seed saving three set points before Kohlschreiber leveled the match with a volley winner.
