Gerry Weber Open – It’s Federer Again By Cheryl Jones

Written by: Staff on 17th June 2013

Gerry Weber Open – It’s Federer Again By Cheryl Jones

epa03745966 Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates his victory over Germany's Tommy Haas after their semi-final match at the ATP tennis tournament in Halle, Westphalia, Germany, 15 June 2013. EPA/OLIVERâ KRATO |

Sunday, Roger Federer is the latest champion of the Gerry Weber Open! For the sixth time, the Swiss master of present day tennis came out on top, defeating Mikhail Youzhny 6-7, 6-3, 6-4. The two had met on fourteen prior occasions and today Youzhny was hoping for a miracle that evidently was like a genie that just couldn’t be coaxed out of the bottle. Two breaks of service – one in the second and one in the third set – made the difference. It was Federer’s first tournament win in ten months and if his past wins can serve as a reference point, the win here could push him to another Wimbledon title that will be on a par with Rafael Nadal, with eight wins at one Major venue. (Nadal took away his eighth title at Roland Garros just a week ago today.)

The genius of Federer’s uniquely suave manner of playing tennis (at least in present day company) at a time where many players spend the entire match swatting from behind the baseline, was revealed after a dismal first set where he had to come from behind to tie the set that he eventually lost in a Tie-Break, 7-5. (It was a swift backhand lob initiated by Youzhny that decided that first set.)

The youthful looking Russian, complete with a slick crew cut to complete a uniquely Eastern European visage, was hoping for much more. The two had met fourteen times prior to today with the same result – a loss for the Russian. Youzhny’s game has moved up a notch in the past year, even though his ranking rose to its highest five years ago, in 2008 when he broke into the Emirates ATP top ten, rising to Number 8.

After the match on Sunday, he spoke a bit about the reasons he feels that many players are able to compete past the age of thirty. Citing top players’ ability to afford travel with an entourage of helpers may be the most significant reason for the longevity of players’ career of late. Fitness has always been an issue – not just with older players, but with everyone who competes on the elite level. The toll of day-to-day all-out play, especially for those who often go far into every tournament is often debilitating in and of itself. Consistently, muscle, tendon and connective tissue damage can be a problem to even the most fit individual. It is not an easy task to stay at the top of any professional sport year after year, but today’s match was an example of two men who have reached the pinnacle of the sport of tennis. And they have made it work well for them.

Every seat in the stadium was filled, and an exciting match that was anticipated was there for the taking. No one was disappointed, especially Federer’s wife, Mirka and his twin daughters, Charlene Rae and Myla Rose. The girls will soon be four, and he has said that they know that he is daddy and that’s all that is important to him. Today they were happy and giggled their way through the pressroom in anticipation of the after match award ceremony.

A relaxed and decidedly happy Federer spoke after the hard fought match. He quickly pointed out that his somewhat early exit from Roland Garros allowed him to spend time in a sunny Halle honing his already ample grass court skills. Wimbledon is on the horizon and he feels that he is focused and ready for whatever comes his way.

If his past performances in Halle followed by the same in London can be used as a hallmark for this year’s competition, he will have smooth sailing, moving through the draw to a place on that final Sunday. With a win, he can enter the rarified air that Rafael Nadal now occupies alone since his eighth win at Roland Garros. There will be no question that Federer will travel to London with a lucky charm – his win at Halle. He seems ready to try his magic on the lawns of Wimbledon once again in search of number eight.

(Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Scott Lipsky, an American, won the doubles in a match that took place immediately after the singles’ trophy presentations. The duo had been seeded third, and with a 6-2, 7-6 win over Italian, Daniele Bracciali and Israeli, Jonathan Erlich, they happily took away the title, a good sized paycheck and a couple of trophies that might need their own seats on a flight back home.)

The Gerry Weber Open has closed its door to visitors and competitors for another year. Next year will be the 22nd addition. With the townspeople always at the ready to present a quality product, it promises more of the same, just as it has 21 times before.

Topics: Atp, Gerry Weber Open, Halle, Mikhail Youzhny, Queens, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News