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Federer gets fifth Halle title with 59th successive win on grass

Jun 15, 2008, 15:39 GMT

Halle, Germany - Roger Federer defeated local hope Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday and captured a fifth title at the Gerry Weber Open with his 59th straight win on grass. World number one Federer took one hour 13 minutes to beat the unseeded Kohlschreiber in the tuneup event ahead of his bid to win an unprecedented sixth Wimbledon crown in a row from June 23 onwards. 'It's a good omen to win here and I hope it continues the same way like in the past when I won here and then in Wimbledon,' said Federer. 'I tried my best all week and played well. I didn't drop serve all week which is special. I am delighted.' Federer is unbeaten on the lawn since a first-round loss to Mario Ancic at Wimbledon 2002. He won at the All England Club every year since 2003. In Halle, he triumphed 2003-2006 and, after not playing there last year, again on Sunday. It marked the second title of the year - following the small clay event in Estoril - and the 55th overall for the Swiss star. Success came after defeats in three consecutive finals in the past weeks, all to Spanish rival Rafael Nadal, at the Monte Carlo and Hamburg Masters as well as last Sunday at the French Open - the only Grand Slam title eluding Federer. Federer faced two break points in the third game of the opening set with Kohlschreiber, but saved those and then won three straight games to earn the first set. 'I needed a little luck to get through this moment,' admitted Federer in reference to the break points. The second passed in similar fashion, with Federer earning the decisive break for 4-3 on another error from Kohlschreiber. He served out the match in the 10th game when Kohlschreiber netted a backhand after saving a first match point with a passing shot. 'Roger plays very tough. I started well but he was too strong,' said Kohlschreiber.

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