Flashback: Federer extended his impressive run to win third successive title

Dubai: Duty Free has announced on the eve of their annual tournament that they would increase the prize money of the women's event to match the $1 million (Dh3.67 million) paid to men players.

The tournament became only the third in the world, after the Australian and US Opens, to offer equal prize money to men and women.

Roger Federer won his third successive title, but only just survived his opening two matches, winning both in third set tiebreaks.

He trailed qualifier Ivo Minar 4-1 in the third set in the first round, and saved two match points against Juan Carlos Ferrero in the second round. The final also went to three sets as he overcame Ivan Ljubicic 6-1, 6-7, 6-3. The tournament also featured the legendary Andre Agassi who clashed with Federer in the semi-finals. That proved to be Federer's easiest match of the week as he won 6-3 6-1. The doubles went to Martin Damm and Radek Stepanek, who beat Jonas Bjorkman and Fabrice Santoro 6-2, 6-4.

Top seed Lindsay Davenport won the women's event, beating Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the final. Jankovic had advanced to the final when second seed Serena Williams retired with an arm injury in the semis. Venus Williams was seeded five, but lost her opening match to Silvia Farina Elia. Virgina Ruano Pascual and Paola Suarez won the doubles with a 6-7, 6-2, 6-1 win.