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Defending champ Federer beats Djokovic to defend Dubai title

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Defending champion Roger Federer won his seventh Dubai Championships title and second of the year defeating No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday.

Federer came into the match needing five more aces to become just the fourth player in history to serve 9000 career aces. He served 12 in the match.

Federer saved all seven break points he faced in the match, while Djokovic lost both break points he faced.

Djokovic sailed a backhand long on break point in the eighth game of the first set.

In the second set, Djokovic had a 40-0 lead in the 11th game, but watched Federer rebound to break his serve with an inside out forehand crosscourt winner.