Confident Federer ready to switch surfaces after more hardcourt success

By Bill Scott Apr 3, 2006, 2:51 GMT

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia during their finals match at the NASDAQ-100 Open on Key Biscayne. Florida Sunday 02 April 2006. Federer won in straight tie break sets 7-6, 7-6, 7-6. EPA/RHONA WISE

Miami - Roger Federer will turn his thoughts to the clay court season after wrapping up his fourth title of the season Sunday 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (8-6) over Croatian rival Ivan Ljubicic at the 6.9-million-dollar Miami Masters.

The Swiss world number 1, with 28-1 record in 2006, will take a few weeks off before starting his clay campaign in Monte Carlo the day after Easter.

'I really believe I can carry this over,' a quietly confident Federer said of his spring chance in Europe on 'dirt.'

The top seed was soaking up victory on hardcourts in Miami over Croatia's Ljubicic, whom he has now beaten in their last seven meetings dating to January, 2005.

'He could have pushed me way further if he would have maybe played better on the big points,' said the Swiss. 'But he was going for big serves with great variation.

'He made me work extremely hard. I expected it, but (playing) three tiebreakers is the most extreme.'

The Swiss top seed collected a seventh consecutive victory over sixth seed Ljubicic, with Federer improving his 2006 record to 28 wins and a single defeat at Dubai against Rafael Nadal this season.

The Swiss also claimed the Indian Wells-Miami double for the second year in a row as he won both events.

'I'm extremely happy. To win back to back like this is unbelievable. I never thought I'd do it again. It really feels great,' said Federer.

The Miami victory was Federer's his fourth straight in a Masters Series event - Hamburg, Cincinnati, Indian Wells and Miami.

Federer now stands 10-3 record against the Croatian.

'It was a great match,' said Ljubicic. 'Three tiebreaks shows how close it was. But Roger played better at the big moments.

'I had my chances, but he was better.'

Federer was playing his 11th straight final since last June. He had won eight of the previous 10, losing only to David Nalbandian in Shanghai at the Masters Cup and Rafael Nadal in Dubai last month.

Ljubicic could only tip his hat to the better man - again. 'I'm happy the way I played. It was definitely a nice match.

'I wanted to give a fight. And if you win a third, you just never know, you still in the match. Maybe fourth, maybe fifth.'