Federer routs Zverev to win the Halle title

ROGER Federer thrashed Alexander Zverev to win his ninth title at the Wimbledon warm-up tournament in Halle, Germany yesterday.

The top seed lost his first match of the grass-court season last week in Stuttgart to Tommy Haas, but was in imperious form all week in Halle, culminating in the 6-1, 6-3 final victory over home favourite Zverev.

The Swiss great will head into Wimbledon, which starts on July 3, as favourite to win an outright record eighth title.

Italian Open champion Zverev had won all three of his previous finals this season, but was blown away by a vintage performance from the 18-time major champion in only 53 minutes.

“I played great, I felt good from the start,” said Federer. “It was by far my best match of the week. After my long break, I’m feeling excellent and it’s a pleasure to be back, and I’m fit for Wimbledon.”

The 35-year-old, who skipped the entire clay-court season, has still only lost two matches this year en route to four titles, including the Australian Open in January.

Federer now has 92 ATP Tour titles, which moves him to within two of second-placed Ivan Lendl on the all-time list.

Meanwhile, Petra Kvitova clinched her first title in just her second tournament since returning from a career-threatening hand injury, defeating Australia’s Ashleigh Barty 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in yesterday’s Birmingham final.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova was sidelined for five months after suffering severe injuries to her left playing hand while fighting off a knife-wielding burglar at her home in the Czech Republic in December. — AFP