12 July 2004	Monday	23 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

GSTAAD, July 11: Roger Federer achieved a career-first on Sunday as he lifted his first career trophy at home with a 6-2, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 defeat of Russian Igor Andreev in the final of the 544,750- euros Swiss Open.

A week after collecting a second straight Wimbledon title, the world number 1 came good at a Swiss event to erase memories of two losses in finals in Basel (2000 and 2001) and one here a year ago against Czech Jiri Novak.

The victory in one hour, 56 minutes on high-altitude fast clay at this alpine village follows on from Wimbledon glory last Sunday on grass. That's a tough transition to make by any standard.

"It's not easy to come straight from Wimbledon," said Federer, now holder of seven titles in 2003 and boasting a 51-4 win-loss record. "To adapt to the clay from the grass is extremely difficult."

Federer's last defeat came against Gustavo Kuerten at the French Open; he's now won 25 of his last 26 matches. Federer opened up a two-set lead after less than an hour, but couldn't wrap up the best-of-five final in straight sets.

Andreev, playing in the first final of his own career, recovered from a break in the third set and got back into the battle as he won it. But Federer wouldn't be denied, taking charge again in the fourth set as he broke the Russian for 3-2 as the nervous challenger double- faulted to yield a third break point chance for the seed, which Federer took.

Federer recovered from 0-30 down in the eighth game and moved out to treble match point a game later. The win came on his second opportunity from Andreev's return into the net.

Andreev, 21 next week, had never even reached a semi prior to this week, but had accounted for grand Slam winners Juan Carlos Ferrero and Andre Agassi in recent weeks. -dpa

Rusedski in final:

NEWPORT, Unseeded Greg Rusedski, the only former champ in the field, won a second-set tiebreaker to defeat Antony Dupuis of France, 7-5, 7-6 (12/10), in the semifinals of the ATP Hall of Fame Tennis Championship..

Rusedski, who leads all active players in grasscourt wins with 77, captured the first of his 13 ATP Tour titles here in 1993. He also won on grass at Nottingham in 1997 and 2003.

Rusedski, appearing here for the first time since 1994, advanced on Saturday to his 25th career ATP Tour final and first this year. He is 10-1 in this tournament. In final, the 31-year-old Rusedski will face No. 7 seed Alexander Popp of Germany, who slipped past No. 5 Cyril Saulnier of France, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). The 6ft 7in Popp will be appearing in his first career final.

Semifinals results:

Alexander Popp (GER x7) bt Cyril Saulnier (FRA x5) 6-4, 7-6 (7/5); Greg Rusedski (GBR) bt Antony Dupuis (FRA x8) 7-5, 7-6 (12/10). -Agencies