ROTTERDAM: Roger Federer came to the ABN AMRO World Tournament aiming to secure a return to the top of the world rankings. He achieved that goal Friday. On Sunday, he put an exclamation point on a remarkable week by winning the tournament for good measure.

Federer overpowered an ailing Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2 in less than an hour to win his 97th career title. In the Open era, only American Jimmy Connors has won more titles with 109.

The 36-year-old Federer, who beat Andreas Seppi 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) in the semi-finals on Saturday, had won all six of his previous meetings with Bulgarian Dimitrov and was in command throughout Sunday’s 55-minute final.

“What a week it’s been. Absolutely amazing,” Federer said. “The goal was to make the semis and I won the tournament so of course I’m incredibly excited and so, so happy.”

Dimitrov, who advanced to the final when his semi-final opponent David Goffin, retired after being hit in the left eye by a ball, appeared to be struggling physically, but said afterward that he simply wasn’t good enough.

Tournament director Richard Krajicek said Dimitrov was ill on Saturday night and was short on energy on court.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2018