Roger Federer showed Feliciano Lopez the importance of finishing strong.

Federer became the first back-to-back champion at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Sunday by rallying for a 4-6 6-1 6-2 victory over Lopez.

"This (title) is very high in my rankings, defending a title is something else than winning the first time," Federer said.

The top seed from Switzerland claimed his second title of the year and 13th career at the hardcourt event.

He improved to 16-1 on the season and has won 21 of 22 matches dating to his victory at the Tennis Masters Cup in Houston in November.

"To come back from a set down and to win, it's very difficult in general in tennis, especially in the finals," Federer said.

"I thought experience could play a role, and it did a little bit because he probably got a little frustrated."

Lopez, in his first ATP final, played brilliant attacking tennis to win the first set. But the 22-year-old Spaniard could not keep up the intensity, while Federer lifted his game and knocked off his second lefthanded foe in as many days.

Making adjustments on his return of serve, the reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion took the next two sets easily to raise his record in Dubai to 11-1. "He definitely played good tennis and it was difficult to comeback against him," Federer said.

"I knew right away when I gave him that start it would be difficult.

"I felt it (the match) could swing so I was happy to change some things in the second set and from then on it went really well." Lopez had a strong week after losing in the opening round of his previous three events this year. He fell to 0-3 lifetime against Federer.

"I'm happy because I had a great week," Lopez said.

"I was playing so good especially at the beginning of the match. I was close today. I almost beat the best player in the world, so I have to be happy."