Roger Federer: 'Risky tennis will be rewarded at Dubai Tennis Championships'

Roger Federer believes that the winner of this year's Dubai Tennis Championships will have to play 'high risk tennis'.

The world number eight, who began his challenge with a 6-1 6-4 victory over Benjamin Becker on Monday, has won the title five times since 2003.

Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic are the only other men to have triumphed in the event during that period.

Speaking after beating Becker, Federer said: "Things can run away very quickly here. If you look at the winner list from here, it's guys who play well on [fast] grass courts.

"It's worth it to go for your shots and you feel like risky tennis will be rewarded."

Federer will face either Radek Stepanek or Michael Russell in round two.