Federer claims record 10th Halle title, Lopez wins Queen’s

Roger Federer is still achieving firsts in his stellar career – winning a record 10th Halle title.

His 7-6(2) 6-2 victory over Belgium’s David Goffin marks the first time the 37-year-old has won the same ATP title 10 times.

Appearing in his 13th Halle final, the world No.3 was tested early by Goffin. Yet Federer, who held a 7-1 win-loss record against the world No.33, took control of the match after clinching the opening set tiebreak.

“First time ever I could win a title 10 times in one place, so it’s obviously a very special moment in my career,” Federer said.

It’s 10 Halle titles for @rogerfederer ????

???? @TennisTV | #NoventiOpen19 pic.twitter.com/KIiG4dvVrS

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) June 23, 2019

Federer’s 10th Halle title is one more than the nine he has won in Basel, and two more than the eight titles he has at Wimbledon and Dubai.

It is Federer’s 102nd ATP title – and makes him the tour’s oldest title winner since 43-year-old Australian Ken Rosewall in 1977.

Lopez reigns at Queen’s

Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez won the Queen’s Club grasscourt title for the second time in three editions, outlasting Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-2 6-7(4) 7-6(2) in an absorbing and high-quality final.

Lopez, a wildcard whose ranking had slipped to No.113, had not won a title since his 2017 Queen’s victory.

This is @feliciano_lopez’s day…

Can he make it 2 in 2? ????

???? @TennisTV | #QueensTennis pic.twitter.com/zydgqBDL1p

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) June 23, 2019

“I thought the best moment of my career was in 2017 but it was not, it’s right now,” 37-year-old Lopez said before making a moving tribute to his watching wife-to-be Sandra Gago.

“She might have heard of this leftie Spanish player but I’ve not won many matches since we met.

“Now I can say to her I’m a decent player.”

Lopez is the first wildcard to win the prestigious pre-Wimbledon title since American Pete Sampras 20 years ago and is now projected to return to the world’s top 60.

It was a day to remember for Lopez, who also teamed with former world No.1 Andy Murray in his comeback tournament to win the doubles title.

“I felt relaxed at the beginning of the week, but felt more nervous as it went on. I think my competitive instincts started kicking in,” Murray told ATPTour.com.

“My hip has felt great, pain-free. I’ll try to keep progressing, but am just happy to be back on the court.”

It is Murray’s third ATP doubles title and first since winning Tokyo alongside his brother Jamie in 2011.