Federer got the real class on grass

Federer got the real class on grass

June 16, 2008 Issue 1

World No 1 Roger Federer won his fifth title on the e713 000 (about R8 ,9-million) Halle ATP tournament here yesterday, beating Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets.

Federer picked up his 59th consecutive victory on grass to see off Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-4 in the traditional grasscourt warm-up for Wimbledon later this month, where he will bid to win sixth consecutive title.

The top seed from Switzerland has won here every year since 2003, with the exception of last year, when he did not compete.

"All week I did not lose my serve once that has never happened to me before," said the 26-year-old, who lost, nor a service and not the whole week.

The victory also came as a welcome relief after Federer humiliation at the hands of Rafael Nadal in the French Open final last weekend.

Although the 74-minute game Federer was the longest of the week, Kohlschreiber was powerless to stop him. He gave the German Kohlschreiber little chance and could only exercise his best tennis in a limited number of demonstrations.

But after his Roland Garros disappointment seven days before, Federer admitted that he has a break for Wimbledon and ignore Halle.