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Federer returns to Ferrer. The World No 1 later said he was improving all the time."My technique is more sound than it has ever been. My backhand is good. My slice is much more consistent than it has ever been." Image Credit: Abdul Rahman, Gulf News

Abu Dhabi Roger Federer finally won a match in Abu Dhabi in his third attempt Saturdday. And after his 6-2, 7-5 win in a third-place play-off over Spain's David Ferrer, the World No 1 served a warning to his rivals that he was in great nick.

Federer, who lost to Andy Murray in his first match here last year and lost again on Friday for the first time in 13 matches against Sweden's Robin Soderling, demolished Spain's Davis Cup winning hero in just over an hour.

"I started well today. My backhand was good, my serve was also good. I am happy I was able to dominate for such a long stretch," said Federer, who now goes to Qatar for the Doha Open before taking a shot at the year's first Grand Slam — the Australian Open.

"My game is where it has to be at the start of the season," Federer said adding that he feels he is also improving on every aspect of his game.

"I do think I am improving. The more practise I get into my body I feel the more complete as a player. Some times it may look a bit predictable. But when you are younger you maybe want to hit everything screaming past. But now you think twice because you know that it works only once every five or 10 times. So that's what has changed," the Swiss master said.

"My technique is more sound than it has ever been. My backhand is good. My slice is much more consistent than it has ever been. My serve too, I think I have more pace in my serve now," said Federer, who has 15 Grand Slam wins against his name.

"Abu Dhabi has been a great venue and I really do like to come here and the events in the region. After Doha and the Australian Open I am back in Dubai in February and am looking forward to it," Federer said.

Ferrer, who came in as a late replacement for Frenchman Jo Wilfred Tsonga, said it was a great experience coming here to Abu Dhabi. "To start the year playing against the No 1 and 2 is really good. I am very happy with my show here," he said.

"You really can't do much against them as they are very good. Now I go to Auckland for a tournament there.

"But this is really a great venue, the people have been nice and I enjoyed the experience," said Ferrer, who lost to fellow Spaniard and World No 2 Rafael Nadal on Friday and to the World No 1 yesterday. But on Thursday he signed off 2009 with a fine win over Russian Nikolay Davydenko on the opening day of the edition.