Federer takes Halle title for seventh time

HALLE WESTFALEN, Allemagne: Switzerland´s Roger Federer won the Halle grasscourt tournament for the seventh time on Sunday with a 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/3) victory over Colombia´s Alejandro Falla.

Federer, 32, the defending champion and world number four, was too powerful for the world number 69 as he claimed his second success of the season after Dubai in February.

It was Federer´s 79th career title -- and 14th on grass -- and provided the Swiss with a timely boost ahead of his bid for a record eighth Wimbledon crown in a weeks´ time.

There was a break of serve in each set before Federer took control in the tie-breaks to seal victory in 88 minutes. Falla, 30, failed in his bid for a first ATP title, a year after also losing his first final in Bogota. (AFP)