HAMBURG, May 16: World number one Roger Federer ended the claycourt run of Guillermo Coria with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 victory in the Hamburg Masters final on Sunday.
The Wimbledon and Australian Open champion stepped up a gear after a sluggish start putting on an aggressive baseline display and confirming that he would be a serious contender at the French Open starting on May 24.
The Swiss all rounder, who was in a class of his own in the last two sets, sealed victory with a service winner on his first match point after two hours and 20 minutes.
Argentine Coria, the defending champion and second seed, made a promising start but was then hampered by a blister on a finger of his right hand and could not keep up with the pace.
MAURESMO TRIUMPHS
ROME: Second seed Amelie Mauresmo survived a match point before finally securing her first Rome Masters title on Sunday when she edged past ex-world number one Jennifer Capriati 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).
Three times a runner-up in the past four years in the Italian capital, Mauresmo's second consecutive tournament win after her triumph in last week's event in Berlin sent out a clear warning to her rivals ahead of the French Open later this month. -Reuters
