Title joy for Federer
A three sets win over France's Julien Boutter in the final of the Milan Indoors tournament has earned Roger Federer his first ever ATP singles title.
The 19-year-old from Basel secured his place in the final on Saturday with an impressive win over world number six Yevgeny Kafelnikov. Although Federer went into the final as the favourite against a player some 40 places below him in the world rankings, Boutter made him work hard for the victory.
After fighting back from 2-4 down to take the first set 6-4, Federer lost the second on a tie break, but managed to win the deciding set 6.4.·
Federer’s victory follows two unsuccessful final appearances last season, when he lost out to fellow Swiss player Marc Rosset in Marseille and to Sweden’s Thomas Enqvist at the Basel Indoors tournament.
Next weekend Swiss fans will be hoping that the youngster can build on Sunday’s success when he returns to Basel for Switzerland’s first round Davis Cup tie with the United States.
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