By Erik Gudris                          Photo Credit: AKentlaPhotography

(February 19th, 2012) Roger Federer's last appearance in Rotterdam was seven years ago back in 2005 when he won the title. So perhaps he was feeling a bit of good fortune going into today's final against Juan Martin Del Potro at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament after having fended off a stern challenge against Nikolay Davydenko the day before. For Del Potro, playing for the first time at the event, he was hoping a win over Federer would signal what many feel is his inevitable rise back into the elite tier of the men's game.

After saving a break point on his opening service game, Federer looked completely at ease against Del Potro as he used a clever drop shot to set up a winning overhead to break for a 2-0 lead. From there, Federer used variety from all sides of the court while also drawing Del Potro into net only to pass the Argentine at will. Federer ran away with the first set 6-1, a feat made even more impressive by the fact the Swiss star was only serving at 47% first serves but winning a commanding 79% of his first serve points.

Despite the partisan crowd cheering almost exclusively for Federer, they also shouted words of encouragement to Del Potro hoping he would make a match of it. Del Potro settled into the second set but once again, it was Federer who was the first to break serve using a drop shot to lure Del Potro into net only to pass him. Del Potro had break point chances of his own, seven in all for the match, but either overhit at crucial moments or played too defensively in hopes of an error from his opponent.  With time running out, Del Potro found himself down 15-40, 3-5 on his service game, but saved the two match points against him with huge serves.

Federer needed two more match points on his service game to close out the match and finally did on his fourth try by hitting a wide serve on the deuce court to set up a winning volley. Federer raised his arms in victory to celebrate his 6-1, 6-4 win and his feat of repeating as champion.

Seven years later and seven of seven on saving break points against him, Federer earned his 71st career title with the win. For Federer, it looks like he really did roll all "7's" this week in Rotterdam.