Federer withdraws from Dubai Championship

Roger Federer has pulled out of next week's Dubai Tennis Championship because of illness.

The world number one has been suffering from a lung infection and has not recovered in time for the tournament, which gets under way tomorrow.

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 March 11.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and world number four Andy Murray, who lost to Federer in this year's Australian Open final, are among the players competing at the hardcourt event.