Double defending champion Roger Federer trumped Italian Andreas Seppi 7-6(7/1), 6-4 to win an eighth title at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany, on Sunday.
The title was the 33-year-old Swiss world No. 2’s fourth of the season after victories in Brisbane, Dubai and Istanbul, and the 86th of his career.
It was also Federer’s 15th career title on grass, coming eight days before Wimbledon, where he is to bid to win for an eighth time.
Photo: AFP
“I hope this is a good omen for Wimbledon,” said Federer, who won the last of his 17 majors at the All England Club in 2012.
Federer’s only defeats in Halle came against Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt in 2010 and German Tommy Haas two years later.
OPEN ERA
Sunday’s win meant he also became just the third player in the Open Era to successfully claim at least eight titles at a single tournament, joining Rafael Nadal and Guillermo Vilas. Nadal has won nine times at the French Open and eight in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona, while Vilas won the Buenos Aires title on eight occasions.
STRONG FAVORITE
Despite his win, Federer insisted that world No. 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic remains the strong favorite for a third Wimbledon title.
“He [Djokovic] is the champion, the world No. 1 and plays well on grass,” said Federer, who added that the Serb’s decision not to play a grass-court warm-up event would not count against him.
“When you are winning everything, you can do anything you want. I know that from my own experience,” Federer added.
It was far from plain-sailing for Federer in his 130th career final against an opponent he had beaten 11 times out of 12 previous meetings.
On three occasions he had to save a break point in the first set, which was briefly interrupted by rain, twice doing so with aces before sealing the first stanza courtesy of a Seppi double-fault.
Federer could have wrapped up the second set a game earlier, but missed three break opportunities when leading 4-3.
However, two games later he did break the Italian to claim victory in 1 hour, 48 minutes.
AEGON OPEN
AP, NOTTINGHAM, England
Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine defeated Donald Young of the US in the first round of the grass-court Aegon Open on Sunday, and Marcos Baghdatis set up a second-round match against top-seeded David Ferrer.
Dolgopolov, who beat Rafael Nadal in the first round at the Queen’s Club tournament, beat Young 6-4, 6-4 at the Nottingham Tennis Centre.
NECK INJURY
Baghdatis led 7-5, 3-0 when Victor Estrella Burgos of the Dominican Republic retired with a neck injury.
Marcel Granollers of Spain also won after his opponent, Vasek Pospisil of Canada, retired at the start of the third set with a back problem.
In other matches, Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan defeated Nicolas Almagro of Spain 6-1, 6-4 and Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine beat Steve Johnson of the US 6-4, 6-3.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely