Roger Federer celebrated his impending return to the No.1 ranking in style, as he clinched the Rotterdam title. The Swiss veteran defeated Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2 in just fifty-five minutes.
A one-sided scoreline in the final was achieved by Federer in a spell that extended from the middle of the first set into the early second. Both men had held the first four service games of the match with little fuss. Federer then secured the first break of the match in game five before holding.
Dimitrov meekly gave up his serve again in the seventh game before Federer held. Federer won six of the eight games in the first set, as the difference between the two players seemed pronounced.
With the match well and truly in his control, Federer gave the Bulgarian very little chance to come back. Federer won the first two games of the second, a run of seven straight games going back to the opening set. Dimitrov finally held in the third game of the second set. The Bulgarian had only taken one set from Federer in a best of three sets scenario, in Brisbane in 2016, but it seemed apparent he would not be able to repeat the feat this time.
Federer continued to hold with ease though, and though Dimitrov held again, it merely delayed the inevitable. Federer brought out some excellent tennis in the final game, dragging Dimitrov wide with some excellent forehand angles.
Federer sealed the win with a serve-volley point to win his third title in Rotterdam, and his first in the city since 2012. He also won in 2005.
Federer in post-match: “What a week it’s been absolutely amazing. The goal was to make it to the semis, and I won the tournament so of course i’m incredibly excited and so so happy. I’d like to thank everybody who’s been part of the tournament for so many years. Getting the players back and making them feel incredibly welcome. Thank you.”
“It’s a dream week for us players, I’d like to thank the officials, linespeople, umpires and ball kids. I’m still living the dream, hopefully I’ll come back to Rotterdam one day, I don’t know how many years I will still be playing for.”
Federer’s return to No.1 was already assured, but by taking the full 500 points on offer in Rotterdam Federer extends the gap between himself and Nadal in the rankings to 345 points. Federer also remains perfect in his head-to-head record with Dimitrov, with the Swiss now leading 7-0.
Neither Federer nor Dimitrov are playing next week with events in Rio, Marseille, and Delray Beach.
