I was watching Berdych versus Tobias Kamke in the second round of Dubai Duty Free Championship. I have already said that this ATP 500Tour can rival the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 arena.  It is a self sufficient global village hotels, restaurants, pubs, golf club and even a yachting club. But as of now, Dubai will have to wait because it will still have to fill the stands that are empty for such a world class event.  It's the same sad occupancy story with other second round matches except that of Federer's.  

People come to watch him play. Even the early rounds with wild card entrants, low ranked players and debutants are a full house if Federer is playing.  And now it makes more sense because chances of witnessing Federer in full flow are more probable in the early rounds and by the semi final round when all the top four meteors collide onto his path, his game becomes laboured and we have to go through the four setter exercises in futility.  However as long as Federer keeps his top spot Camp Murray will have to keep cribbing about how 'slot' favouritism leans toward Federer by scheduling all his matches for the more prime time evening viewing as was the case in the Australian open.

 That's the way it is and will be as long as you are successful,  and have camera candy.  Federer has both in abundance and with the addition the twins ( something that no players on the tour have and by that I mean children) his stock has risen really.  His twins and his fatherhood find a mention in all post match interviews.  People seem to love it.  Back to the third round of the Dubai Duty free and our little man Davydenko is playing Federer. He loses the first set 6-2.   I am seeing Federer in full flow including his patent down-the-line forehand on winged feet . The delicate volleys are intact and precise lobs are all there.  It's only a matter of time before Federer moves on to the quarter finals at his favourite destination-Dubai. 

For this championship, I have spotted Federer wearing his light grey t-shirt, dark horrors and pink shoes combination, a carryover from take Austrlian open.  He is wearing Vapor 9 Tour shoes from Nike.  Earlier in the day I say Berdych wear the same shoes in fluoroscent green colour.  The Vapor shoes from Nike seem to be popular on the tour. 

And predictably Federer has won the quarter finals against Davydenko 6-2, 6-2.