Federer ends Coria streak in Hamburg final

World number one Roger Federer ended Guillermo Coria’s claycourt run with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 victory in the Hamburg Masters final on Sunday. The Wimbledon and Australian Open champion stepped up a gear after a sluggish start, putting on an aggressive baseline display and confirming that he would be a serious contender at the French Open starting on May 24.

The Swiss all-rounder, who was in a class of his own in the last two sets, sealed victory with a service winner on his first match point after two hours and 20 minutes.

Argentine Coria, the defending champion and second seed, made a promising start but was then hampered by a blister on a finger of his right hand and could not keep up with the pace. Coria had won 31 consecutive matches on clay including all 16 he had played this year and had not lost on clay since his loss in last year’s French Open semis.