Posted at 7:59 a.m., Saturday, March 3, 2007
Federer wins 41st straight match, Dubai title
Associated Press
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Roger Federer won the Dubai Open for the fourth time in five years today, beating Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 6-4, 6-3 in the final.Federer won his 41st straight match, tying Bjorn Borg for the fourth-longest streak and leaving him five short of Guillermo Vilas' 1977 record. Ivan Lendl (44 in 1981-82) and John McEnroe (42 in 1984) also are in front of Federer.
Federer's last defeat was to Andy Murray in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters last August.
Federer, who lost in last year's final to Rafael Nadal, extended his record over Youzhny to 9-0. Youzhny, who won in Rotterdam last week, defeated Nadal in the quarterfinals.
''It was a bit of a rough start for me this year, as it always happens with me in Dubai,'' Federer said. ''But I am happy that I saved my best for the last.''
