HALLE, 16 June 2003 — Top-seeded Roger Federer of Switzerland swept to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Germany’s Nicolas Kiefer to win the $800,000 Halle Open yesterday.
It was Federer’s fourth tournament victory on four different surfaces this season - and a career first on grass.
After winning on clay in Munich, indoors in Marseilles and on hard court in Dubai, the world number five has now demonstrated his all-round ability in a timely boost ahead of Wimbledon.
The unseeded Kiefer, who lost last year’s Halle final to Yevgeny Kafelnikov, was outclassed by 21-year-old Federer who fired into a 5-0 lead before the home favorite was finally able to hold serve. Federer continued to control the game in the second set to run out winner in just 68 minutes for his eighth tournament title of his career.
Kiefer, who fought out a tough 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 semifinal win Saturday over Frenchman Arnaud Clement, needed treatment on a thigh strain in the second set.
Kiefer, the 1999 Halle champion, can however look back on a successful comeback following a wretched first half of the season beset by injury. Federer said he was proud of his first grass court title.
Roddick Romps Past Grosjean
to Win Stella Title
In London, Andy Roddick swept to his first grasscourt title yesterday, thrashing Sebastien Grosjean 6-3, 6-3 to win the Stella Artois Championships.
The American, possessor of the fastest serve in tennis and conqueror of Andre Agassi in the semifinal, took just 59 minutes to wipe the Frenchman off the court.
“They’re not joking around here,” Roddick smiled as he was handed the enormous silver cup. “That thing’s bigger than I was when I was 12-years-old.
“It is pretty humbling to be in the same category as some of the names on that trophy... anyone who’s anyone has won here. I couldn’t be happier right now.”
Roddick pocketed 94,700 euros ($111,300) for the one-sided victory but more importantly it will serve as a major confidence boost with eight days to go before Wimbledon.
“It is great,” he said. “I will relax now and then come back in a week’s time and try to do it all over again at Wimbledon.”
Woodbridge Nears Doubles
Record With Halle Win
Australian Todd Woodbridge went another step closer to becoming the most successful doubles player of all time when he won his 75th title at the Halle Open.
Woodbridge and Swede Jonas Bjorkman beat Czech pair Cyrill Suk and Martin Damm 6-3, 6-4 in the final to move the Australian above Frew McMillan into third on the all-time list, two behind American John McEnroe, and three behind Dutchman Tom Okker.
Ivanisevic and Seles
Out of Wimbledon
Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic has been forced to pull out of the championships which start here on June 23 for a second successive year because of injury. The popular Croatian, Wimbledon champion in 2001, saw his chances of playing in the grasscourt Grand Slam evaporate when he injured knee ligaments while practicing with compatriot Mario Ancic in London on Thursday. After competing at the Queen’s Club, the 31-year-old was due to continue his preparations in Nottingham, but has been forced to scrap those plans and also admitted defeat in his bid to be ready to play at Wimbledon, where he was also three-times runner-up.
