Federer beats Novak to earn redemption

Roger Federer paid his dues at the Dubai Open last night. In return, the organisers presented the 21-year-old top seed from Switzerland with the winner's cheque for $187,500 (£120,000), plus the appearance money they witheld last year, when he was accused of not giving his best effort in the second round.

Hurt by the controversy, Federer was determined to redeem himself in the eyes of his critics, if not his own eyes. His commitment has not been in doubt this time, and he climaxed an impressive week by defeating Jiri Novak, the Czech third seed, 6-1, 7-6, in the final.

It was Federer's second title in a month (he won in Marseilles a fortnight ago) and his 13th win in his last 14 Tour matches. Today he moves into third place in the ATP Champions Race. "It's good to be in front of you guys with good feelings after last year's bad press conferences and bad experiences," Federer said, referring to his straight-sets loss to Germany's Rainer Schüttler.

Breezy conditions yesterday replaced a strong desert wind on the previous two days, and Federer started briskly, breaking Novak in second and fifth games to take the opening set in 22 minutes. The points were closer than that might suggest, and Novak's efforts were better rewarded in the second set, which contained four breaks of serve en route to the tie-break. Federer's first-serve percentage dipped, partly, he said, because his opponent made him work so hard in the rallies.

He is building towards a breakthrough in the major championships, having been a quarter-finalist at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2001. "I know I must improve my Grand Slam results," he said. "With my ranking [No 5] everybody has played a semi-final at least. I'm waiting for the day I'm up there and have my chance of a title. For that to happen everything has to be in place, and I'm still working on my game."