UPDATED: Federer, Ferrer Show Old is the New New; Wawrinka Also Titles

Federer Beats Raonic, Records 1,000th Match Win for Title

Swiss Roger Federer defeated Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-4 in the final of the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp on Sunday, in the process becoming the third player in the Open Era to win 1,000 matches. He joined greats Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl, and had Aussie greats Rod Laver and Roy Emerson on hand after the match.
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“Looking back, it’s almost nicer winning this way through a tight match with nerves and humid conditions against a great player in a final,” said the 33-year-old Federer, who improved to 83-42 in career finals. “It means so much more than just running away with it with the score maybe 6-4, 6-4, which was looking very likely at one stage. I guess I was much more happy having to go three sets in the end rather than winning in straight(s).”

The Swiss one-upped himself from last year when he was upset in the final by Lleyton Hewitt.

In the third set Federer saved five break points, while the Canadian was broken in the 10th game after saving four break points. In the final two points Raonic double faulted, then buried a forehand in the net.

“It’s a little bit tough standing here, in front of so many Grand Slam champions — it’s an honor,” said Raonic, who dropped to 1-8 career against Federer and 6-8 in title matches.

Ferrer Batters Berdych in Qatar ExxonMobil Open Doha Final

The demise of Spaniard David Ferrer is apparently a bit premature.

The soon-to-be 33-year-old No. 4 seed upset No. 3-seeded Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-5 in the final of the oil-rich Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, Qatar. Hanging on at No. 10 in the ATP Rankings, Ferrer ended a three-tournament finals losing streak where he dropped championship matches in 2014 at Vienna and Cincinnati on hardcourts, and Hamburg on clay.

“I put in hard work this preseason,” said Ferrer, who is working with a new coach in Francisco Fogues. “It’s special winning this tournament. I was ready to play tonight’s match against Berdych, a Top 10 player….I’m happy because it is never easy to begin the season winning a tournament.”

Ferrer improved to 22-15 in career finals. Berdych dropped only 16 games en route to the final before running into the Spanish buzzsaw.

“First of all, it’s a disappointment to lose the final,” said Berdych, now 10-15 in career finals. “But on the other hand, it’s been a very solid week. It’s been a couple of good matches. I was not able to execute the right way, but I think it’s a good start for me.”

Wawrinka Beats Qualifier for ATP Chennai Title

No. 1 seed Stan Wawrinka beat qualifier Aljaz Bedene 6-3, 6-4 to successfully defend his title at the Aircel Chennai Open, his third career Chennai crown.

The 29-year-old Swiss won his eighth career title, and continued the trend of older winners on the ATP World Tour, this week joining 32+ year-old winners Roger Federer and David Ferrer.

“It was a great final,” Wawrinka said, breaking early in the first and mid-way through the second set. “I’m really happy with my level.”

It was the Swiss’ first career title defense on tour. Last year the Chennai win was a good omen as he went on to win in Melbourne for his first Grand Slam title.

The No. 156-ranked Bedene was appearing in his first final. The 25-year-old Slovenian defeated three straight Spaniards en route to the final — No. 2 seed Feliciano Lopez, No. 5 seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, and No. 3 seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the semifinals where he saved four match points.