ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) ― Roger Federer defeated Juan Martin del Potro 6-1, 6-4 Sunday to win the ABN Amro World Tennis for his first title of the year.

The top-seeded Federer jumped to a 5-0 lead in the first set, with Del Potro making uncharacteristic errors. Del Potro, who beat Federer in the 2009 U.S. Open final, took a 2-1 lead in the second set before Federer won five of the next seven games to close the match.

“For me, it all began in 1999 when I reached the quarterfinals here,” Federer said. “Even now, the expectations were high throughout the tournament. I am happy I was able to fulfill the expectations.”

<YONHAP PHOTO-0020> Roger Federer of Switzerland holds the trophy after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in two sets 6-1, 6-4, in the final of the ABN AMRO tournament at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)/2012-02-20 00:37:19/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2012 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with the winner’s trophy. AP-Yonhap News
Roger Federer of Switzerland holds the trophy after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in two sets 6-1, 6-4, in the final of the ABN AMRO tournament at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)/2012-02-20 00:37:19/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2012 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with the winner’s trophy. AP-Yonhap News

Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with the winner’s trophy. (AP-Yonhap News)

The Swiss star was making his first appearance in Rotterdam since winning the 2005 title. Del Potro, seeded third, was playing in the tournament for the first time.

Del Potro won just seven points on his serve in the first set. While the Argentine’s game improved in the second, he couldn’t find a way to beat Federer on the key points.

Federer, who beat Nikolay Davydenko in the semifinals, took a 4-2 lead before serving out the match to win his 71st career title. He saved all seven break points he faced and broke Del Potro three times.

Qatar Open

Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus shook off a lingering ankle injury to win the Qatar Open on Sunday, routing Sam Stosur of Australia 6-1, 6-2.

Azarenka earned her 17th straight victory and first title since replacing Caroline Wozniacki atop the rankings after winning the Australian Open. It was her third title overall in 2012.

Azarenka showed no ill effects after twisting her left ankle in the semifinal against Agnieszka Radwanska on Saturday.

She broke the fifth-ranked Stosur twice to lead 4-1 in the first set, making a brief trip to the net to clinch it with a backhand volley. Azarenka cruised to victory after winning the first three games of the second set.

“It’s amazing. I can’t believe I could play that kind of tennis today,” Azarenka said. “I knew I wouldn’t be 100 percent, so I had to change and adjust. I was just surprised today that everything was going in.”

Fearful of further aggravating her ankle injury, Azarenka said she tried to keep the rallies short and took advantage of the windy conditions.


koreaherald@heraldcorp.com