The Hindu : Sport : No stopping Federer on grass

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 13, 2005

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No stopping Federer on grass

UNASSAILABLE HOLD: Roger Federer, with his victory over Marat Safin in the final of the ATP Gerry Weber Open in Halle, has stretched his winning streak on grass to 29 matches. — Photo: AP

HALLE (GERMANY): Top-ranked Roger Federer won his 20th straight ATP final and 29th straight match on grass by beating Australian Open champion Marat Safin 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-4 on Sunday at the Gerry Weber Open.

Federer, who also won the last two tournaments at Halle, will be looking for his third straight title at Wimbledon, which starts June 20. Sunday's win, which was worth euro96,000 ($116,000), was his 29th career title.

``I'm hoping for something similar this year,'' Federer said. ``I feel great. My 29th title and my 29th win on grass — that fits perfectly.''

The two players traded early breaks in the first set, the only time the second-seeded Russian would accomplish that against Federer. Then Safin threw away the set at 5-4 with two forehands that sailed long.

The top-seeded Swiss jumped for joy at the end of the two-hour match against Safin, who repeatedly slammed his racket and screamed at the referee as he wasted several chances to break Federer's serve.

``But it was still a great match,'' Safin said. ``I don't know the last time I played such great tennis.''

The Swiss star's last loss on grass was in June 2002 against Mario Ancic in the first round at Wimbledon. Bjorn Borg holds the record for consecutive grass wins in the Open ear with 41.

Federer's finals streak started in Vienna in 2003.

Meanwhile in doubles play top seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Todd Woodbridge of Australia retired half-way through their semifinal.

Bhupathi and Woodbridge were trailing 5-7 against Swiss pair of Yves Allegro and Roger Federer. Interestingly, both the pairs had reached the last four stage after walkovers by their opponents.

Roddick in elite company

In London, Andy Roddick won his third consecutive title at Queen's on Sunday, defeating Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4) in the American's last warm-up on grass before Wimbledon.

Roddick joins Lleyton Hewitt and John McEnroe as the only player to win the grass-court event three straight times. Roddick reached the Wimbledon final last season and the semifinal two years ago — losing both times to Roger Federer.

Sharapova keeps title

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova retained her Birmingham grasscourt title with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 win over Serbia's Jelena Jankovic on Sunday.

It was a timely boost for the 18-year-old Russian with her win coming just a week before the start of her title defence at the All England Club. Sunday's win was her 17th in a row on grass and her 10th career title.

The results:

At Queen's Club (Stella Artois ATP championships) Final: Andy Roddick bt Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4). Semifinals: Ivo Karlovic bt Thomas Johansson 6-4, 7-6 (7).

At Halle (Gerry Weber Open): Final: Roger Federer bt Marat Safin 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-4. Semifinals: Marat Safin bt Guillermo Canas 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

At Birmingham (DFS Classic): Final: Maria Sharapova bt Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 4-6, 6-1. — Agencies

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