Roger Federer overcame a sluggish start to beat unseeded Mikhail Youzhny 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 for his first title since August. Photo: AP Photo/Martin Meissner
Roger Federer found the ideal place to end his title drought – a small town in western Germany that has a big tennis stadium and a street named Roger-Federer-Allee leading to it.
Federer left Halle a winner again Sunday, ending a 10-month run of 11 tournaments without a title, an eternity by his standards.
The 31-year-old Swiss great overcame a sluggish start to beat unseeded Mikhail Youzhny 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 at the Gerry Weber Open for his first title since Cincinnati in August.
Returning to grass in his favorite warm-up for Wimbledon, the top-seeded Federer looked lethargic until the middle of the second set against a player he had never lost to in 14 previous matches. It was the first final on the tour this year involving players 30 or older.
“I’ve won a lot but not so much in the last 10 months, although I feel I’d been playing well,” Federer said. “But the others were playing better.”
Federer earned his sixth title at Halle in 11 appearances (eight finals) and his first since 2008. Four of Federer’s seven Wimbledon trophies have come after victories in Halle – including his first Halle and Wimbledon championships in 2003.
The former top-ranked player, who is now No. 3, won his 77th career title, pulling him even with John McEnroe at third on the all-time list. Jimmy Connors won 109 and Ivan Lendl 94. Federer will be looking to extend his record of 17 Grand Slam championships when he defends his title at Wimbledon.
“I feel fit; I feel confident. I’m excited about what’s to come,” Federer said. “I’m very pleased with how I played this week.” – ESPN
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