France, March 12 -- Former world number one Roger Federer on Friday pulled out of next week's Dubai Duty Free Championships. He says he wants to focus on his training.

The 39-year-old Swiss withdrew from the tournament a day after losing to Nikoloz Basilashvili in the quarter-final of the Qatar Open in Doha.

After claiming the first set, Federer was blitzed in the second. Basilashvili waltzed through it 6-1.

In a more even deciding set, Federer held a match point when 5-4 up.

However, Basilashvili held firm and levelled at 5-5. The 29-year-old Georgian claimed Federer's serve to lead 6-5 and served out for his first win against the 20-time Grand Slam tournament champion.

Focus on training

"It's been great to be back on the @atptour ...