Intro:

Roger Federer won a record sixth Dubai Championships - and 78th career title - by beating Tomas Berdych 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the final on Saturday (1 March).

Script:

Tomas Berdych having won his two previous encounters with Roger Federer would have likely been confident heading into the Dubai Championship Final.

Yet it was Federer who looked in good touch early on, passing Berdych here and taking an early break of serve.

However, the Czech broke back when Federer put this forehand wide to make it two all.

Berdych went onto take the first set 6-3, with Federer having a first serve percentage of just 40%.

In the second set, there was another early exchange of breaks. From 4-4, Federer won the final eight points of the set to level the match at one all.

Federer moved ahead in the third set after he broke the Czech on a second break point in the fourth game.

The World No 6 did save two match points, yet Federer took the match at the third opportunity.

Federer's win, his sixth here in the last 12 years, extends his record of winning at least one title a year to 14 consecutive years.

This is Federer's first tournament victory since winning in Halle, his only title of 2013.