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Federer outguns Henman in Tokyo | Federer outguns Henman in Tokyo |
(40 minutes later) | |
Roger Federer's stranglehold over Tim Henman continued as he strolled to a 6-3 6-3 victory to capture the Japan Open title in Tokyo. | Roger Federer's stranglehold over Tim Henman continued as he strolled to a 6-3 6-3 victory to capture the Japan Open title in Tokyo. |
The Swiss world number one racked up a sixth straight win over Britain's number two in 67 minutes to clinch a ninth title in 2006. | The Swiss world number one racked up a sixth straight win over Britain's number two in 67 minutes to clinch a ninth title in 2006. |
Federer moved to seven wins in 13 matches against the 32-year-old Henman. | Federer moved to seven wins in 13 matches against the 32-year-old Henman. |
"I was surprised because I had jet-lag. To always keep winning is a very difficult thing to do," said Federer. | "I was surprised because I had jet-lag. To always keep winning is a very difficult thing to do," said Federer. |
"To come here right away and win the tournament is fantastic." | "To come here right away and win the tournament is fantastic." |
Competing against arguably the greatest player of all time is the ultimate test and so it's one that I still enjoy Tim Henman | |
Henman gifted Federer his first break with three straight double faults in the sixth game and the top seed closed out the first set with his fifth ace. | Henman gifted Federer his first break with three straight double faults in the sixth game and the top seed closed out the first set with his fifth ace. |
Playing for the first time in Japan, and his first tournament since winning last month's US Open, Federer broke again to edge ahead 2-1 in the second set and never let Henman back in the match as he stormed to his 42nd career title. | Playing for the first time in Japan, and his first tournament since winning last month's US Open, Federer broke again to edge ahead 2-1 in the second set and never let Henman back in the match as he stormed to his 42nd career title. |
"Roger was too strong for me today and he's a phenomenal player - there's very few that can live with him on any surface other than clay at the moment," said Henman. | |
"It's difficult to hurt him as he's got so many strengths and so few weaknesses and, the scary thing is, he's still improving. | |
"So it's tough to compete with him, especially in the latter stages of tournaments when he's had a chance to build up his confidence, but that's what we've all got to try to do. | |
"It's a formidable challenge - but competing against arguably the greatest player of all time is the ultimate test and so it's one that I still enjoy. | |
"Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go the whole way but there are plenty of positives for me to take from the trip as I feel I've showed on the match court what I've been feeling in practice for a while now." | |
Federer improved his record in finals to 42 wins in 55 appearances, while the nine-time Grand Slam singles champion boosted his win-loss ratio for the year to 77-5. | Federer improved his record in finals to 42 wins in 55 appearances, while the nine-time Grand Slam singles champion boosted his win-loss ratio for the year to 77-5. |
Henman was playing in his first final since losing to Federer at Indian Wells in 2004 but never seriously threatened to cause an upset. | Henman was playing in his first final since losing to Federer at Indian Wells in 2004 but never seriously threatened to cause an upset. |
Former British number one Henman won the last of his 11 career titles at the Paris Masters in 2003. | Former British number one Henman won the last of his 11 career titles at the Paris Masters in 2003. |