Nadal beats Federer in match between world's top two

DUBAI, March 4: Roger Federer went down to his first defeat of the year when he was beaten in three sets by Rafael Nadal in the Dubai Open final between the world's top two players today.

Nadal, playing only his fifth match of the year after recovering from a foot injury, won 2-6 6-4 6-4.

The Spanish teenager, taking his career record against the Swiss to 3-1, prevented Federer from taking revenge for his defeat to Nadal in last year's French Open semi-finals.

World number one Federer, who has won the Australian Open and Qatar titles this year, had also lost to Nadal in Miami in 2004, but he beat the 19-year-old in last year's Miami final.

REUTERS