Clinical Federer downs Cuevas to take Istanbul title

(MENAFN- Arab News) ISTANBUL: Top seed Roger Federer on Sunday won the Istanbul Open with a superb display of clay court tennis to defeat Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay in straight sets.
The Swiss world No.2 and 17-time Grand Slam winner showed imperious form ahead of the French Open beating world number 23 Cuevas to win the 85th title of his career in a thrilling second set tie break.
Federer showed dexterity and power despite resolute defense from his opponent who required two injury timeouts for treatment on his wrist to win through 6-3 7-6 (13/11) in one hour 36 minutes.
'It's been a while since I won a title on clay' said a delighted Federer whose last clay court title was Madrid in 2012. 'It's been a pleasure playing here.'
Federer has been given celebrity status in Istanbul over the last week on his first ever appearance in the country with banners around the court reading 'welcome to Turkey king' and the crowd chanting his name.
In the first set Federer raced to 4-1 lead in just 20 minutes adapting better to the slow conditions on the red clay court after a heavy afternoon shower before the match.
He also showed none of the weakness on this first serve that had plagued his game earlier in the week.
Cuevas also showed fine touch in places both around the baseline and the net but was making too many unforced errors.

Gasquet supreme

In Estoril Portugal Richard Gasquet defeated Nick Kyrgios 6-3 6-2 to win the Estoril Open on Sunday ending the Australian's hopes of a first tour title.
The Frenchman ranked 28th after suffering a series of back injury problems lost the finals at the Portuguese venue in 2007 and 2012.
But Gasquet made up for past disappointments as he schooled 20-year-old seventh seed Kyrgios in 63 minutes never facing a break point until he saved three to take a lead of a set and 5-1.
The fifth-seeded French player claimed his first trophy on clay since Nice in 2010 on the first of three match points.
The winner of three career ATP clay titles had lost two previous Portuguese finals in 2007 (Novak Djokovic) and 2012 (Juan Martin del Potro).
Estoril was his first event in six weeks after quitting his opening match at Indian Wells in mid-March as a disc problem from 2014 returned.
'This is an unbelievable win for me' said Gasquet.
'Especially with my back I would not have ever dreamed of this.
'It was a tough match and Nick put up a fight he's a very dangerous player part of the future of the sport.
'I'm just just coming back on tour and still don't feel at 100 percent physically but this week will certainly give me confidence.
'My fitness improved all week and I served better in each match.'
The win marked Gasquet's 12th career title as he also avenged his loss to Kyrgios last year at Wimbledon when the Australian saved nine match points in their second round tie.