"Rash decisions"
Murray also credited his success to his mental strength.
"The most important thing is just to believe you can win the match," the 11th-ranked Murray said. "I think too many times on the tour some guys try to play almost too well, and it's really important to stay patient and not make rash decisions early in the match.
"I definitely didn't do that today."
Britain's Andy Murray waves after beating Roger Federer of Switzerland in their ATP tennis match at the Dubai Tennis Championships in the Gulf emirate. Murray won 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 6-4. (Xinhua Photo)
Federer was playing just his second tournament of the year, and his first match since losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January.
"Tough match, obviously. It was always going to be a tough draw," said Federer.
"I knew it was important to get off to a good start but it wasn't enough tonight. He did well to hang in there and it was a tough match in the end.
"My expectations are not sky-high at this point. Obviously I haven't played much so you don't go in with any expectations. You hope to get past the first round, no matter if it's a guy with no ranking or a guy ranked basically in the top 10.
"I wish I would have maybe had a little bit easier draw, but under the circumstances I felt I played okay. It wasn't a bad match, which is the only positive thing out of tonight."
Fourth seeded Spaniard David Ferrer beat Germany's Tommy Haas 6-3 6-0, fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia defeated Kuwait's Mohammed Al Ghareeb 6-4 6-0.
Seventh-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet beat Russia's Dmitry Tursunov 6-4 6-4.
(Agencies via China Daily March 4, 2008)