World number one Roger Federer [Images] became the first player to successfully defend the Qatar Open crown since Swede Stefan Edberg in 1995 when he beat French teenager Gael Monfils 6-3, 7-6 in the final on Saturday.

"It's nice to win back-to-back titles. It was a great opening week of the year, a beautiful start," Federer told reporters after extending his winning streak on hardcourts to 45 matches.

"This also shows that I have been able to overcome my foot injury and play well."

The Swiss player sprained his right ankle in training in October.

Seventh seed Monfils, 19, gave Federer a strong test despite losing six games in a row midway through the match.

Monfils broke his opponent in his first service game but Federer refused to let the French youngster dominate as he dictated from the back of the court.

Federer went on the attack while Monfils made far too many unforced errors.

THREE ACES

Monfils saved three break points in the fourth game, firing three thunderous aces to wriggle out of tight situations.

The Frenchman then had chances to go 4-1 up but failed to seize them and Federer made him pay by reeling off five successive games to snatch the set.

Federer broke serve in the opening game of the second but Monfils hit back immediately and the pair were well-matched throughout the set.

Monfils led 5-3 in the tiebreak before Federer showed why he is a champion by claiming the last four points to clinch victory.

"It's good to have tough matches, as long as I win," joked Federer. "It was a tricky match against someone I haven't played before.

"It took a while for me to study the pattern of his game. Thoughts of the match going into a third set were crossing my mind."

Monfils looked back with pride on his performance this week.

"I'm happy I reached the final," he said. "The match against the world number one was a great experience.

"There were lots of positives for me even in today's loss."

Federer picked up a cheque for $142,000 while Monfils earned $83,600.

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