Federer wins in Halle as Dimitrov dazzles at Queens

Sport360 staff 08:29 16/06/2014
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  • Cup of joy: Federer battled past Falla in the Gerry Weber Open final.

    Roger Federer claimed his seventh Gerry Weber Open title with a hard-fought 7-6, (7/2), 7-6 (7/3) win over Colombian Alejandro Falla in Halle.

    The Swiss made it through to his ninth final in 12 years at the German venue after dispatching Kei Nishikori, the fourth seed.

    Falla, meanwhile, was in search of a first title on the ATP tour, having come from a set down to beat local favourite Philipp Kohlschreiber in their semi-final.

    It was Federer’s 79th career title and provided the Swiss with a timely boost ahead of his bid for a record eighth Wimbledon crown.

    “It is great to have won seven times here,” said Federer. “It is very special and I hope to come back here next year.”

    Federer hoped his record of following Halle with success at Wimbledon continues.

    “In the past, when I have played well at Halle I have usually played well at Wimbledon. They have been two of my most successful tournaments, so I hope that this title will bring me luck again.”

    Federer, 32, went into the showdown holding a 6-0 record over the Colombian. However, having been two sets down against Falla in the first round of Wimbledon four years ago, there would be no complacency from the Swiss against the world No69.

    The first set proved a tight affair, although Federer missed the chance to close out on serve at 5-3, only for Falla to break back and eventually force the tiebreak.

    Federer did not waste another opportunity when he claimed five straight points from 2-2 to take the first set in 42 minutes.

    Falla, 30, continued to push Federer as there remained little margin for error in the second set, which also went locked at 6-6.

    Federer forced an early minibreak on the first point and then took control at 3-0 when he came to the net to drive down a forehand. The Swiss world No4 remained in charge at 5-2 when he crashed in another big serve.

    A wide passing shot down the line from Falla handed three match points to Federer and the Swiss took the opportunity at the first time of asking.

    Dimitrov dazzles with historic Queen’s triumph
    Bulgarian fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov warmed up for Wimbledon by winning the Queen’s Club title with a 6-7 (8/10), 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (8/6) victory over Spain’s Feliciano Lopez in the final.

    Dimitrov’s maiden success on grass makes him the first player since Roger Federer and David Ferrer in 2012 to win titles on three different surfaces in the same year after his victories on hard courts in Acapulco and clay in Bucharest.

    The world No13 is the first Bulgarian to win Queen’s and the fourth ATP trophy of his promising career will make him a dark horse for the title at Wimbledon.

    “It’s been amazing to be here. I’m really happy to go through the match and win it in such a way,” Dimitrov said.

    He takes home a cheque for £74,654 (Dh465,000) and 250 ATP ranking points, but more importantly has added to the feeling that he is fulfilling the vast potential that saw him compared to Federer when he was a teenager.

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