Roger Federer pulls out of Dubai with illness

ROGER Federer has pulled out of this week's Dubai Tennis Championship because of illness.

The world No 1 has been suffering from a lung infection and has not recovered in time for the tournament, which gets under way today.

Federer, who has lifted the Dubai title four times in his career, will rest for the next two weeks and is expected to return to the ATP Tour in Indian Wells from 11 March.

World No 4 Andy Murray, who lost to Federer in this year's Australian Open final, is among the players competing at the event, as is the defending champion Novak Djokovic.

Meanwhile, Michael Llodra went one better than last year as he defeated Julien Benneteau in an all-French final at the Open 13 in Marseille yesterday. Llodra lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga last year but claimed the fourth ATP World Tour title of his career with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

One break of serve in each set was enough for the unseeded 29-year-old, who had won only one match in four tournaments this season.

Wins over Marcos Baghdatis and top seed Robin Soderling set Llodra on his way as he denied Benneteau a first main tour title.