Federer wins Hamburg title
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ByEurosport
Published 15/05/2005 at 14:14 GMT
World number one Roger Federer retained his Hamburg Masters title with a comprehensive 6-3 7-5 7-6 victory over French teenager Richard Gasquet. The world number one's win avenged his defeat by the 18-year-old Gasquet in the quarter-finals of the Monte C
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"For me it was a tough, tough match," said Federer after the match.
"It was a hard break that loss in Monte Carlo against him. He gave me a sniff and still I ended up losing so that was disappointing.
"I'm happy I got the chance within a few weeks to get him back.
The top seed played a solid match while the world number 56 failed to convert 6 break break points when they came as Federer secured his 19th consecutive victory in an ATP final.
Gasquet was playing his first Masters-Series final and started the match with bugs in his stomach while Federer took advantage of it breaking the French sensation in the second game of the match to secure the opening set.
Gasquet showed more strength in the second set and showed he could rival with Federer's backhand but made a bad service game in the 12th game to give Federer the second set.
Federer broke to love to lead 6-5 after an untimely stream of Gasquet mis-hits and in the next game the Swiss classily wrong-footed the teenager with an ace to go two sets up.
The third set was even and Federer came through as the winner after a good tie-break while Gasquet made a double-fault at the worst moment.
The teenager had saved three match points before winning their quarter-final in Monte Carlo but this time Federer took his first opportunity when Gasquet overhit a return to hand victory to the Swiss, who raised his arms skyward in triumph.
"Today I played more angled shots and I used my kick-serve more. That's maybe what I have to do more of on clay.
"A match like this always helps looking ahead and I have feeling after today's match that I have more options on clay. I'm using the drop shot more than I used to. All these litle things are coming together. It's a good feeling."
GASQUET SATISFIED
Gasquet admitted the occasion had got to him a bit.The 18-year old only played one ATP final previosuly -- The Metz Open -- and Sunday's game was the biggest of his career.
"I was nervous at the beginning but after that it was okay. I can see my future now. It's incredible. I won seven matces (here) and I only lost to Federer, that's very good." said Gasquet.
Gasquet received a generous reception from the Rothenbaum crowd after his defeat and he can look forward to even more support at the French Open in a week's time, where he will be a dangerous floater in the draw.
"I have gained a lot of experience for my next tournament. I have a lot of confidence for Roland Garros," he said.
"But I don't have any specific targets. I have a lot of time on my side. I just want to give people some pleasure and I will do my best."
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