Federer completes title half-century

China Daily | Updated: 2007-08-21 07:09

Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with his trophy after his win against James Blake in the final of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters on Sunday at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. AFP

CINCINNATI, Ohio: Record-setting Roger Federer takes aim at a fourth US Open title after winning the 50th trophy of his career 6-1, 6-4 against James Blake on Sunday at the Cincinnati Masters.

The Swiss heads to New York for the last major of the season starting on August 27 quietly confident of further domination on the hardcourts.

Little more than a month after lifting a record-equalling fifth consecutive Wimbledon, the 26-year-old is in the chase for more runaway success.

"I definitely played my best," said Federer, 45-6 this season with five trophies and a 7-0 record against Blake. "I had to play my best to beat James.

"It was a great week. I was very happy and I'm obviously very excited going into the US Open."

Federer's 11 career Grand Slam titles are three shy of the all-time record of 14 set by Pete Sampras.

Federer, who won his first title at Milan in 2001, will be seeking his third Grand Slam crown of the year having won the Australian Open in January and his fifth Wimbledon crown in a row last month.

Federer stands 12-1 in finals played in US venues, including three US Open crowns.

"Everything felt good until I ran into Roger," Blake said, who came in with wins in 16 of his previous 20 matches. "Fifty titles is pretty good."

Federer, so relaxed that he hit up in the morning with former player and current American Davis Cup coach Patrick McEnroe after scratching around for a partner, likes his chances heading to Flushing Meadows.

"The good thing is that I know how to win it, I know how to prepare. I have the right frame of mind.

"I took a month off after Wimbledon. I had hoped to win Montreal (last week, where he lost the final to Novak Djokovic) but I played a good Cincinnati.

"I'm confident going into the Open, I want to try and keep the rhythm and go match by match.

"You need to get ready mentally for best-of-five-set matches.

The Swiss won his second Cincinnati trophy in three years after beating Andy Roddick in 2005.

It was a year and a week since Federer lifted his career 40th crown through a 2006 victory in Toronto. He began his run with a first title in Milan in February, 2001, as a teenager.

Agencies

(China Daily 08/21/2007 page23)