Federer Wins Three-Set Thriller at Rotterdam

Federer dropped his serve for the first time in the tournament at 5-5 in the first set, then finally converted on a break point in the second with Ljubicic serving at 5-6. In the third set neither player earned a break point until the tiebreak, with the Croat serving at 4-2 before Federer steeled his nerve for a mini-break and the eventual victory.

"I always expect a tough match but I was hoping it was going to go the way the final in Doha when I won 6-3, 6-1 against Ivan," Federer said. "Indoors, he's more efficient, and he's harder to break. He got off to a good start, got the first break, I didn't play a very good game but anyway he broke me to love, which was good for him. From then on I just had to fight and stay in there."

With the win the Swiss improved to 15-1 in 2005, and has now won 15 consecutive finals dating to Vienna in 2003, an Open Era record.

Ljubicic, who said before the final he would buy everyone in the crowd a drink were he to defeat Federer, dropped to 0-3 in finals this year.

"I was 4-2 up in the tiebreak," Ljubicic said. "If I had a chance to rally with Roger I thought I had a chance. I felt like in the rally he was the one who felt more pressure. I could go for my shots without overdoing it. I don't think he was expecting me to stay in the rally, to stay with his power, but I did it pretty good today and he found himself down a set. But he's No. 1 in the world and he was fighting all the way."

In the doubles final, Israeli No. 4 seeds Jonathan Erlich/Andy Ram won their first title of the year with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win over No. 3-seeded Czechs Cyril Suk/Pavel Vizner.

"It's our fourth title together," Ram said. "It's a great feeling. We really enjoy playing in Holland, it's a great tournament."