Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of Roger Federer's quarter-final match with Sergiy Stakhovsky at the Dubai Championships.

GAME, SET AND MATCH FEDERER! Wonderful play from Federer as he dashes to the net to tease a backhand over the net on the run after Stakhovsky throws in a cute little drop shot. Stakhovsky knocks a backhand wide trailing 15-40 and Federer has two more chances to claim the match. Stakhovsky knocks a return wide on the next point. Federer is through to the last four.

Stakhovsky saves two match points from 15-40 down courtesy of two big serves. A lovely lob on the backhand from Federer brings up the third match point with Stakhovsky perched on top of the net. Stakhovsky comes to the net to rescue the third as Federer knocks a forehand wide. A couple of big serves from Stakhovsky forces Federer to serve for the match.

Federer saves two break points. Stunning stuff from the legend at deuce when he crashes a forehand beyond Stakhovsky. Stakhovsky sees a backhand slide wide seconds later and that will be 5-3 to the Swiss player. Federer playing the big points better, as he has done throughout his career.

A love service game from Stakhovsky. Just what the doctor ordered for a man who is a break down in the second set against the world number two. Stakhovsky continues to look for his second break of the match. This contest is not over yet.

Stakhovsky not going quietly into the night. Forces the game to deuce, but continues to drop in too many errors at crucial moments. Brings up a break point, but he whacks a backhand well wide of the lines. A forehand is long seconds later before Federer teases a forehand winner up the line. Federer within two games of the match.

Crowd beginning to come alive in Dubai. Stakhovsky keeps his focus to stay within one break of Federer. Can't afford to fall two breaks behind otherwise this contest is over. He is only winning 55% of his serves on first serve.

It is worth remembering that Stakhovsky has yet to down a player inside the world's top ten. Does not look like that stat is going to change here this evening. Federer now hitting the mark with 73% of his point on first serve. Drops two points, but well in control.

BREAK TO FEDERER! Federer brings up another couple of break points with some fine hitting. Stakhovsky saves the first one with a lovely flick across court on the forehand side that leaves Federer panting, but he is forced to give way on the next point as a forehand from deep is bundled into the net. Federer with the break.

Federer starting to warm to the occasion. The serve is starting to hit the mark and unless there is a massive sea change in this contest, Federer is heading for a place in the last four.

Stakhovsky opting to throw in a drop shot at 30-15. Questionable moment to try the shot as the ball floats feebly into the net. He knocks a wild forehand wide and is suddenly facing a break point. A serve out wide saves the break point as Federer hits the net with a backhand. Stakhovsky comes up with enough precision to prevent the break. Good hold by Stakhovsky.

SET TO FEDERER! Stakhovsky manages to save one set point with a thumping forehand winner, but he catches the tape with another forehand seconds later and Federer has the first set in his pocket. Not overly impressive by Federer standards, but effiicient enough. Federer winning 61% of his points on first serve.

BREAK TO FEDERER! Federer taking some of the pace off the Stakhovsky serve. The result is two break points. Stakhovsky saves one with a blistering forehand winner up the line. He is powerless on the next point as Stakhovsky comes to the net only to see a ferocious forehand whizz past him. Federer serves for the set.

Federer's serve is looking well oiled. The technique is clearly there if sometimes the concentration deserts him. The Swiss player's second serve is also starting to flow. Drops one point in that game. Leads by the odd game in seven.

Stakhovsky claims the first three points of the sixth game with some ease. Federer sends a crunching backhand spinning past his opponent on the next point, but a mishit forehand drops well out of the courst. Stakhovsky holds serve.

A love service game for Federer. His first of the match. That was a lot more comfortable for the world number two. Federer up to four aces already in the match. Pressure on Stakhovsky to respond.

Federer wins the first point of the game, but he cannot live with the court coverage of Stakhovsky, whose second serve is deep and well placed. The man from the Ukraine is moving freely and getting his shots away. We are level at 2-2.

Stakhovsky continues to press the Federer serve in bringing up three break points. Three big serves including two aces, helps Federer level at deuce. He finishes off the game with the serve out wide with another ace. Federer leads 2-1. Improved play from the Swiss master.

BREAK TO FEDERER! Federer chips and charges at 30-30. Stakhovsky tries to lob Federer twice, but the world number two's agility is admirable as he throws down a big overhead to bring up a break point. A sliced backhand return down the line is enough for the Swiss player to restore parity. Back on serve.

BREAK TO STAKHOVSKY! Federer had not been broken in this tournament this week, but he has now. Federer forced to save two break points, but Stakhovsky is hitting the ball well. He composes himself at deuce to break in the opening game of the match with Federer seeing a forehand hit the net. Great start for the unfancied Stakhovsky.

Federer to serve in the opening game of the match.