Federer Still a Force

Andy Murray was served a reminder of how tough it will be to break his Grand Slam duck when losing 7-5 6-4 to Roger Federer in the final of the Dubai Championships. The British number one had defeated Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals on Friday, but his regular seeding means that he is always liable to have to beat two of the world’s best three players to claim titles.

Federer has been in formidable form, dropping his serve for the only time all week in the second set. The Swiss star has shortened to 11/2 (Skybet) to end the season as world number one; he is on a 10 game winning streak after triumphing in Rotterdam as well. The 30-year-old is 12/1 (Williamhill) to win the French Open, the next Slam event, and 9/2 (StanJames) to win a seventh Wimbledon crown.