By ADAM ZAGORIA
One day after returning to the world No. 1 ranking, Roger Federer backed it up by winning the Stuttgart title for the first time.
Federer, who leapfrogged his rival Rafael Nadal for the No. 1 spot on Saturday, downed Canadian Milos Raonic, 6-4, 7-6(3) for the 99th title of his career.
Federer improved to 11-3 against Raonic.
“I’m really happy, it’s great to win this title,” Federer said on-court. “I’m so happy to have won here finally in Stuttgart finally on the third attempt. It’s been difficult the last few years. I lost a few tight matches, but not this year. Everything went my way, so I’m very happy.”
Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam champ and soon-to-be-37-year-old, will now head into his Wimbledon defense with at least one grass court title. He will also play at Halle, Germany next week, where he also is the defending champ.
Federer skipped the entire clay court season and was playing his first tournament since March.
Raonic double-faulted to give Federer a 5-3 lead in the tiebreak. Federer then whipped a forehand passing shot to give himself a commanding 6-3 lead in the breaker.
Magic from @rogerfederer!#MercedesCup pic.twitter.com/70w0kByXZ3
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 17, 2018
First ? in Stuttgart!@rogerfederer defeats Milos Raonic 6-4 7-6(3).#MercedesCup pic.twitter.com/7Dpfi7azEa
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 17, 2018
On match point, Federer closed it out when Raonic netted a forehand.
“I really hope I can keep it up in Halle and then of course at Wimbledon,” he said. “I really think it’s going to give me a boost being back at world No. 1 as well.”
