He thought he would not come back right up and pick up the pieces of his great defeat when crushed by World No. 3 Novak Djokovic at 2011 Australian Tennis Tournament in January. But World No. 2 Roger Federer has proven to himself and the partisan crowd at the Dubai Open Tuesday that he still has what it takes to face battle in the courts.

Federer finished the dogfight for only 75 minutes to win 6-3, 6-3 against Somdev Devvarman, the world number 79 at the tournament in Dubai early this week.

Richard Eaton of the Agence France Presse noted that the Swiss maestro was a little shaky at first during the match. Federer had to fight not only his Indian nemesis but the partisan crowd comprised in a bigger number of Indian expatriates staying in the Middle East country.

But after the game, Federer knew he has also won the hearts of his rival’s fellow countrymen.

He knew shortly after he was asked in a post-match interview if indeed ‘the era has ended’, attributing to his major defeat at the Australian Tennis Open this year.

He knew it even before his inquisitor was able to finish the question, amplified enough to be heard by the partisan crowd. The AFP said the question was met by a deafening catcalls from his rival’s supportive crowd. He knew then, that they were his supporters, too.

With more confidence knowing that the Indian patrons were also on his side, Federer was quick to respond to the recurring question after his huge defeat - - that is, finishing Australian Open without Grand Slam titles for the first time in eight years.

"The answer is -- I am playing here," said Federer, which noted by AFP was greeted with great cheers.

"It doesn't stress me out," he added.

But he also recognized that No. 3 ace from Serbia, Novak Djokovic gave an impressive performance at Melbourne early this year. Something he said, he is now preparing for in upcoming tournaments.

"I won the tour finals at the end of last year. Novak (Djokovic) was too good at the Australian Open and I can only respect that, and work on my game and hope that's enough,” Federer said.

Reminding himself and the crowd [and probably the media] that this month’s tournament is not about the Australian Open but a game in Dubai.

"In any case this isn't about the Grand Slams - my focus is on Dubai," said the Swiss maestro.

The AFP said that Federer had made a number of ‘unforced errors’ for his Indian nemesis. He broke Devvarman for 4-2 when the latter served a double fault, giving him an edge on the first set. But another break slapped Devvarman on the fifth and night games of the second set.

The game ended after barely one hour and fifteen minutes by World No. 2 Federer and Indian No. 79 Devvarman.

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