Federer beats Henman for debut Tokyo title

Oct 8, 2006, 13:48 GMT

Tokyo - Roger Federer capped a successful debut at the AIG Open Sunday with a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of Briton Tim Henman to lift a ninth trophy this season.

The Swiss world number 1 fulfilled all expectations at the Arieke colosseum as he improved his record over Henman to 7-6 in a 67 minute display on hardcourt.

Federer, already qualified as end of season number 1 for the third year in succession, claimed the honors on a third match point from Henman's forehand error.

It was Henman's first final since a loss to Federer in the Californian desert at Indian Wells in the 2004 final at that Masters Series event.

The 32-year-old Briton won the last of his 11 titles in late 2003 at Paris Bercy.

The win was the second straight-forward victory in as many days for Federer, who struggled in the quarter-finals to stamp out a challenge from Japan's Takao Suzuki, who stands outside the Top 1,000.

Federer professed surprise at his accomplishment. 'Keeping on winning is very difficult,' said the top seed. 'I arrived (last week) with some jet-lag.

'But to win the tournament straight away is fantastic.'

Federer stands an impeccable 42 career trophies from 55 finals, and improved to 77-5 on the season.

The nine-time Grand Slam winner will next play at the Madrid Masters in a week after missing the indoor autumn season in 2005 with an ankle injury.

Henman handed over an opening-set break with a run of three costly double-faults in the sixth game, with Federer immediately taking advantage to lift the set with an ace.

The top seed broke for 2-1 in the second set and stayed in control until the end.

Federer came into the final on the back of his 19th consecutive victory in semi-final as he beat German Benjamin Becker on Saturday.

The 55th-ranked Henman is set for a rise towards the To 40. He stands 8-4 in Tokyo, reaching the quarter-finals in his last appearance in 1998.