By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, June 23, 2019
Roger Federer topped David Goffin, 7-6 (2), 6-1, to capture his record-extending 10th Halle title and 102nd career championship.
Photo credit: @ATPHalle
Dancing across the lawn with the relaxed intensity, Roger Federer high-stepped his way into Halle history.
Federer defeated David Goffin, 7-6 (2), 6-1, to capture his record-extending 10th Halle title and join rival Rafael Nadal as the only men in Open Era history to reach double-digit titles at a single event.
Tsitsipas: Auger-Aliassime is Toughest Opponent
"It's unbelievable," Federer said. "I never thought when I first played here that I would win 10 titles."
Twelve-time Roland Garros champion Nadal has also claimed 11 championships apiece at Monte-Carlo and Barcelona.
An ageless Federer continues playing timeless tennis: the 37-year-old Swiss is the oldest ATP singles champion since a 43-year-old Ken Rosewall won the 1977 Hong Kong crown.
Federer served 60 percent, slashed seven aces against one double fault and denied all three break points he faced in the fifth game in a one hour, 23-minute victory. It is Federer's third championship of the season following victories over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Dubai title match and John Isner in the Miami Open final, as he improved to 32-4 on the season.
When Goffin pushed a final forehand volley wide, an ecstatic Federer thrust his arms in triumph. As fans raised smart phones to snap shots of this historic Halle mark, Federer blew kisses to the crowd celebrating his third title of the season.
Contesting his 13th final in 17 Halle appearances, Federer fought through a tight opening set then soared through the second to seal his 102nd career title.
The top-seeded Swiss is seven titles shy of equaling Hall of Famer Jimmy Connors' Open Era record of 109 career championships.
The server maintained control through the first four games.
In the fifth game, Goffin made a move attacking the top seed's backhand.
Under pressure, Federer flicked a forehand into net to face triple break point. Federer tamed the turbulence finding his first serve and exploiting a pair of Goffin errors on two of the three break points holding for 3-2.
Through the first 12 games, Goffin made more inroads on Federer's serve. Securing his own serve with accuracy, the 28-year-old Belgian banged a pair of aces and belted a 135 mph serve winner holding at 15 to force the tie breaker.
In the breaker, Goffin blinked first netting a forehand to donate the mini break on the second point. Serving with more command, Federer repelled a slithing return off the service line scooping a backhand volley winner for 4-1.
Swinging more freely, Federer fired a forehand return that slithered near Goffin's shoelaces snatching a second mini-break for 5-1.
Federer torched his fifth ace and threw down another twisting serve to close the opening set with a shout.
A diamond-shaped shadow from the retractable roof crept on Federer's side of the court like a crop circle as the Swiss boxed the Belgian in to start the second set.
Goffin coughed up his second double fault to face a third break point.
Matters deteriorated as Goffin slapped his third double fault into net to gift the break, compounding his frustration by flinging his Wilson Blade toward his court-side seat.
As the match progressed, Federer's precision sharpened. Playing closer to the lines and probing sharper angles, the Miami champion carved out a second break for 4-1.
A fifth Goffin double fault gave Federer championship point and when the blue-clad Belgian slipped a volley wide, Federer held Halle history in his hands.
The sustained crowd roar eventually subsided while the smile remain plastered across Federer's face.
And the hits keep coming.
Clinching his 10th career championship in Halle, Federer will play for a ninth Wimbledon title when The Championships begin next month.