Federer eyeing Wimbledon title; Lopez King of Queen’s
HALLE, Germany – Roger Federer thrashed Alexander Zverev to win his ninth Halle title on Sunday and admitted he’s feeling fresh ahead of his assault on an eighth Wimbledon crown next month.
Top seed Federer lost his first match of the grass-court season last week in Stuttgart to Tommy Haas but was in imperious form all week at Halle, culminating in Sunday’s 6-1, 6-3 final victory over home favorite Zverev.
Federer will head i nto Wimbledon, which starts on July 3, as favorite to win an outright record eighth title and surpass the mark of seven he currently shares with Pete Sampras.
“I was doubting myself a little bit, I must admit, because losing in the opening round for the first time in 15 years on grass was always going to shake me a little bit and it did,” admitted Federer. “So I’m happy to react right away and let that be forgotten and actually move on and remind myself I actually can play well on grass.
“It’s a boost for me personally, with my confidence, knowing that my body is in good shape. Mentally, I’m fresh again and I’ve gotten used to match play.”
Meanwhile i n London, Feliciano Lopez won the Queen’s Club title in dramatic fashion as the Spaniard saved a match point before defeating Marin Cilic 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (10/8).
Trailing by a set to the big- serving Cilic, Lopez held his nerve in a gripping finale to overwhelm the world No. 7 and secure his first ATP title since Gstaad in July 2016.
It was a sweet moment for world No. 32 Lopez, who held