Tennis: Federer wins Istanbul Open in straight sets

AP , Sunday 3 May 2015

Federer
Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates after his victory against Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas in their ATP World Tour Istanbul tennis tournament singles final tennis match in Istanbul, Turkey May 3, 2015. (Photo: REUTERS)

Top-seeded Roger Federer claimed his 85th title Sunday with a 6-3, 7-6 (11) win over Pablo Cuevas in the final of the Istanbul Open.

The 17-time Grand Slam winner fended off strong resistance from the third-seeded Uruguayan, who saved four match points.

Federer, who claimed his first title on clay since winning in Madrid in 2012, broke for a 4-3 lead in the second set but dropped his serve immediately after hitting a double fault and missing two forehands.

The Swiss continued to struggle with consistency in the tiebreaker but a superb backhand volley earned him a fifth match point that he converted when Cuevas sent a forehand in the net.

It was Federer's third title this season following victories in Brisbane and Dubai on hard court.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

Short link: