Federer Tames Tiger Tim for 9th 2006 Title
Posted on October 9, 2006Top seed Roger Federer collected his ninth title of the season as the Swiss star demolished Tim Henman 6-3, 6-3 in the Sunday final at Tokyo.
With his sixth straight win over Henman, Federer took the lead in their career meetings 7-6. Federer improved his 2006 record to 77-5, while Henman slipped to 28-18. Federer is on track to top his personal record of 81 match wins last year when he went 81-4 on the season.
"I knew what he was going to do, serve and volley or serve and come in on the next one, so that puts a lot of pressure on your return," said Fed after winning his 42nd career title. "It was harder to serve today with the wind and sun."
Federer has played in 13 finals this year winning nine, and he's won 42 of 55 career finals.
Henman's performance should help him to his 12th straight year finishing in the Top 40.
"I'm not the first guy to lose in a final to Roger and I won't be the last," Henman said. "I would have loved to have won today but he was simply too good. It's been a fantastic week for me -- the level of tennis I played, to be feeling this good on the court and backing it up with wins has been a great motivation for me. It hasn't always been easy for me when you're working very hard and doing all the right things for both my body and my game, and you want a little proof in your results. So to be back in the final of a big tournament is fantastic."
With his sixth straight win over Henman, Federer took the lead in their career meetings 7-6. Federer improved his 2006 record to 77-5, while Henman slipped to 28-18. Federer is on track to top his personal record of 81 match wins last year when he went 81-4 on the season.
"I knew what he was going to do, serve and volley or serve and come in on the next one, so that puts a lot of pressure on your return," said Fed after winning his 42nd career title. "It was harder to serve today with the wind and sun."
Federer has played in 13 finals this year winning nine, and he's won 42 of 55 career finals.
Henman's performance should help him to his 12th straight year finishing in the Top 40.
"I'm not the first guy to lose in a final to Roger and I won't be the last," Henman said. "I would have loved to have won today but he was simply too good. It's been a fantastic week for me -- the level of tennis I played, to be feeling this good on the court and backing it up with wins has been a great motivation for me. It hasn't always been easy for me when you're working very hard and doing all the right things for both my body and my game, and you want a little proof in your results. So to be back in the final of a big tournament is fantastic."