Tennis: Rosset wins first all-Swiss ATP final

Marc Rosset has beaten Roger Federer in the final of the Marseille Open. It was the first time two Swiss had fought it out in the final of an ATP tournament. Rosset, who is 29, defeated Federer, 11 years his junior, in three sets, 2-6 6-3 7-6.

Marc Rosset has beaten Roger Federer in the final of the Marseille Open. It was the first time two Swiss had fought it out in the final of an ATP tournament. Rosset, who is 29, defeated Federer, 11 years his junior, in three sets, 2-6 6-3 7-6.

It was his third win in Marseille following titles in 1993 and 1994. After struggling to cope with Federer’s devastating forehand in the first set, Rosset switched tactics.

“I was not enough of a warrior in the first set,” Rosset said. “I then concentrated on the quality of my serve. I played harder to make him doubt.”

Rosset captured the second set 6-3 and took his compatriot’s serve in the ninth game of the decider before serving for the match. But Federer put up a brave fight, saving three match points and pushing Rosset into a tie-break.

“I got jittery. I felt victory was within reach and I lost my nerve on the match points,” Rosset admitted.

But he regained his composure on a fourth match point to claim his 13th win on the ATP circuit.

Federer, who was playing in his first ATP final, was sporting in defeat. He said that losing to Rosset made it less disappointing.

From staff and wire reports