Dubai Tennis: Roger Federer's seven title victories in the UAE - in pictures

The 20-time major winner is back in Dubai targeting an eighth championship. Here is a look back at his previous successes at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

2003. In his second year competing in Dubai, and in an era when he still had not won a grand slam, Federer gave a glimpse of the form that would see him become the dominant force in men's tennis. He did not drop a set on his way to the title as No 5 seed, beating Jiri Novak 6-1, 7-6 in the final. All photos AFP

2004. Federer became the first man to ever retain the Dubai title. He beat the likes of Marat Safin and Tommy Robredo on his way to the final. The world No 1 was given a scare in the final as he dropped the first set to Feliciano Lopez but hit back to win 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

2005. A hat-trick of championships came Federer's way here, though it was not straightforward with three of his five matches going to three-setters. He beat Andre Agassi in the semi-finals and then beat his current coach Ivan Ljubicic 6-1, 6-7, 6-3 in the final.

2007. After losing the 2006 final to Rafael Nadal it was back to winning ways for Federer a year later. He beat Novak Djokovic, then an upcoming talent who was No 14 in the world, in the quarter-finals and defeated Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-3 to claim the trophy.

2012. There was a wait for title No 5 to come the Swiss player's way but it came in 2012. He did not drop a set all tournament, beating Juan Martin del Potro in the semi-finals and then Andy Murray in the final 7-5, 6-4.

2014. This was the year of the fightback. In the semi-finals he came back from losing the first to Djokovic to prevail, and then in the final he did the same to Tomas Berdych, who had beaten him in the last four in 2013, as he was triumphant 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

2015. Again Federer did not drop a set as he won his seventh and most recent title. Djokovic was his opponent in the final and he proved too good on the night as a 6-3, 7-5 success came his way.

Roger Federer is back at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships bidding to extend his already record haul of titles at the ATP Tour event.

The 20-time major winner has won the competition seven times in the past, his most recent one coming in 2015.

Ahead of the action in the men's ATP competition, which runs through until the final on March 2, have a look at the gallery above to see how the 37 year old won his trophies in the UAE.

To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.