Roger Federer wins Halle for 55th ATP title

[June 16, 2008]  HALLE, Germany (AP) -- Roger Federer just wanted to survive a couple of rounds at the Gerry Weber Open after his painful French Open loss to Rafael Nadal.

The top-ranked Swiss did much more, beating Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-4 in Sunday's final for his 10th grass title. That matches Pete Sampras' Open era record of 10 grass-court titles and takes his unbeaten streak on grass to 59 matches.

To further boost his confidence, Federer sailed through the Wimbledon warmup tournament without dropping a set or his serve.

"I'm really excited; I think that's the first time in my career I won a title" without losing serve, Federer said. "That was very special -- and I'm very proud to keep my streak going."

In fact, Federer also won a tournament in Doha in 2005 without being broken.

He restored some momentum after one of his worst defeats -- a rout in the French Open final last Sunday at the hands of Nadal. Federer took just four games.

"I didn't want to lose in the first and second round," Federer said. "It would have been really tough for me losing on grass again for the first time and having just lost in Paris the final."

He beat Nadal in the last two Wimbledon finals, but the Spaniard may be a bigger challenge this time around. Nadal won his first grass-court title Sunday against Novak Djokovic at Queen's Club in London.

"It's nice to see Rafa do the same thing as (at Roland Garros)," Federer said. "I think it's exciting for tennis that we have two, three players at the moment who are regularly in the finals. It looks like they are going to be in great shape for Wimbledon."

Federer, who raised his record to 10-0 in grass finals, won Halle for the fifth time. The previous four were followed by Wimbledon triumphs three weeks later.

"That's exactly what I hope for this time," Federer said. "That's why I'm so satisfied. That's why I will go to Wimbledon with a lot of hope."

The Swiss was surprised to match Sampras' 10 wins on grass.

"I didn't know, but it's nice," Federer said. "Obviously the consecutive win streak is more important to me than equaling a number like 10 on grass."

Federer didn't face a top 10 player in Halle, but was stronger than his last appearance at the event in 2006. He was pushed to three sets in four of his five matches that year.

He started slowly in front of 12,000 spectators as rain forced the roof on center court to be closed midway through the match.

Kohlschreiber, looking for his second title this year after Auckland, had two break chances at 1-1 in the first set. Federer saved with an ace and a passing shot.

"I was, maybe, a hair better than Roger at the start," Kohlschreiber said. "But that's why he is No. 1. He adjusts to your game and I hardly had chances later."

Federer won Halle for the first time in 2003 -- before going on to win his first Wimbledon title -- and now has won 25 straight matches at the tournament.

[Associated Press; By ROY KAMMERER]

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