May 5, 2003	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 2, 1424

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MUNICH, May 4: Roger Federer of Switzerland claimed his third title of the year by crushing Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen 6-1 6-4 in the Munich Open final on Sunday.

Top seed Federer, playing his first claycourt tournament of the season, crowned an impressive overall performance in the Bavarian city by brushing aside the eighth-seeded Nieminen in 56 minutes.

Federer, who started the year with victories in Marseille and Dubai, has now won seven ATP titles in his career compared to none for Nieminen in four final appearances.

Nieminen, ranked 37th in the Champions Race, was totally outplayed in the first set and put up a brave challenge in the second, but Federer stepped up a gear when he had to.

The battle between the two 21-year-olds was one-sided.

MAURESMO STUNS VENUS

WARSAW: France’s Amelie Mauresmo upset Venus Williams 6-7 6-0 3-0 in the Warsaw Cup final on Sunday, with the top-seeded American retiring due to abdominal pains in the third set.

Mauresmo, the world number seven and second seed in Warsaw, rattled off nine straight games against Williams, who was treated several times by a trainer before retiring.—Reuters