Gerry Weber Open: Seventh heaven for Swiss maestro Roger Federer

Roger Federer with his trophy after defeating Alejandro Falla

Roger Federer wasn't going to let an early departure from the French Open linger too long. The Swiss maestro overcame a spirited effort from Alejandro Falla in the final of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle to claim his seventh career title. The world No.4 delighted his Deutsch fans with an assured 7-6(4) 7-6(3) performance to successfully defend the only title he won last year. The victory will help Federer travel to London with confidence as he continues his quest for an elusive 18th grand slam title.

Falla became the first Colombian to reach a grass court final, after coming from behind to knock out Phillip Kohlschreiber 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the semis. The victory though seemed to have cost him any hopes of support from the German crowd. The packed centre court threw their weight clearly behind the Swiss champion and he thrilled them with a memorable outing to claim his 79th career title.

With both players serving well, the first break point of the match had to wait till the eighth game. The Swiss took it immediately to earn an opportunity to serve out the first set. But Federer has struggled in recent times with closing out in situations like these and Falla attacked to gain three break points at 0-40 in the ninth game.

Federer saved the first, but Falla took the next to force the set back on serve. It did not take long from there for the set to be pushed into a tie-breaker. At 2-3, Falla lost both his service points and that was enough to allow Federer to close out the set without any further drama.

Now the Swiss had his nose in front and a break in the very first game of the second set seemed to set him on his way to the title. But the dogged spirit of Falla allowed the Colombian to force Federer to the back foot in the next game. The Swiss saved two break points at 15-40, but soon Falla had a third that resulted in another break of serve.

Play remained on serve from there and it would eventually take another tie-break to decide the second set. This one proved to be a closer affair though, till Falla rushed into a mistake at 3-5 to surrender match point to Federer. The Swiss served out on the next point to defeat Falla for a seventh straight time and clinch his seventh title from nine finals at Halle.

The Gerry Weber Open has always been Federer's preparation for Wimbledon, but this one might feel extra special considering that the Swiss hasn't enjoyed too many opportunities to defend a title in recent times.The 89 minute effort helped Federer to his 14th grass court title and the small matter of $128,860 in prize money. Falla has been bidding to become the first Colombian since Mauricio Hadad to claim an ATP World Tour title, but fell short yet again. He had also lost in the finals of Bogota to Ivo Karlovic last year.

Federer improved to 46-5 at Halle and was to return on court soon as he attempts to complete a rare double on the men’s tour. The world No.4 reached the finals of the doubles event with his compatriot Marco Chiudinelli. The Swiss duo will take on Andre Begemann and Julian Knowle a little later on the same court. Federer also achieved a double in Halle way back in 2005.