Roger Federer continued the pursuit of his 100th tour-level title by reaching the Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-finals. The Swiss overcame the challenge of Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in one hour and 36 minutes. One break of serve was enough for Federer to claim the first set. The same occurred in the second as the second seed moved into a 3-0 lead. And the third set followed the same pattern, with Federer making the breakthrough in the eighth game.