Federer, Granollers Capture Titles; Ivanovic Wins ‘Loser Bowl’

Federer Steamrolls Nishikori for ATP Basel Title

Roger Federer won his first title in 10 months on Sunday, defeating Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-3 for his fifth career Swiss Indoors Basel title.
ADHEREL
“I’m very happy, as I got better as the week went on,” Federer said. “I definitely saved the best for last at the tournament. I played really well today in the final.” It was the Swiss’ 68th career title and second in 2011 after Doha in January. “I’m feeling really fit and I’m ready for more. I’m very hungry and fired up.”

In the second set Nishikori was broken for a 4-2 advantage for the Swiss, who then closed out the match at 6-3. “I’m a bit disappointed with how I played today, as it didn’t go well, but it’s always going to be tough against him� His tennis was too good for me,” Nishikori said. “I felt like I couldn’t do anything.”

Spain’s Granollers Surprise Winner at ATP Valencia

Spain’s Marcel Granollers outlasted Argentine Juan Monaco in a three-hour epic 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(3) on Sunday in the Valencia Open final in Spain, coming back from a break down in the final set.

“Winning here has been the biggest achievement in my whole career,” Granollers said. “It was a difficult moment for me, being a break down in the third. I kept fighting and at the end, I played very good.”

Granollers beat four Top 20 players to reach the final in Alexandr Dolgopolov, Marin Cilic, Gael Monfils and Juan Martin del Potro. Last year Granollers finished runner-up, beating Monaco en route to the final.

It was the third career title for Granollers, and first on hardcourt. Monaco extended a title drought dating to 2007.

Ivanovic Wins ‘Loser Bowl’ Bali Championships

Former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic captured her second consecutive WTA “Loser Bowl” title on Sunday, defeating Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-3, 6-0 in the final of the Commonwealth Bank Tournament Of Champions in Bali.

The Commonwealth Bank Tournament Of Champions features the top players who won titles during the year but did not qualify in the Top 8 for the year-end WTA Championships. Ivanovic did not qualify even for the Bali event, but was given a wildcard as the defending champion. The lopsided final score was not even mentioned in the WTA tour’s official press release of the final.
 
“I felt like I didn’t do much wrong. It was a great match for me,” Ivanovic said after winning her first title of the year on her birthday. “Anabel and I practiced together all week, so it was nice we got a chance to play each other on the last day of the tournament…Thank you so much to the tournament for giving me a wildcard this year.” Medina Garrigues fell to 11-7 in career finals.