Roger Federer began his campaign for a record sixth Dubai Championships title with a 6-1, 6-4, win over Benjamin Becker of Germany on Monday

The eighth-ranked Federer has never dropped a set to Becker in four matches played.

Federer and top-seeded Novak Djokovic, who will play his first match on Tuesday, have won nine of the last 11 titles here in Dubai.

Federer won the trophy in 2003, '04, '05, '07 and '12. Djokovic, the defending champion, won four times, with Rafael Nadal winning in 2006 and Andy Roddick in 2008.

Federer raced through the first set against Becker in 22 minutes.

In the second set, Becker challenged better by playing himself into points. In the end, however, Federer served out, although Becker managed to push Federer to deuce twice in the final games.

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