Federer on top of the world

13 April 2012

Roger Federer not only outclassed Juan Carlos Ferrero in Melbourne today but he climbed to No1 in the world for the first time in his career.

The Wimbledon champion went above Andy Roddick on the rankings list with a comfortable 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 victory that took him into Sunday's Australian Open final against Russian Marat Safin.

The Swiss star is the 23rd player to top the world rankings since their inception in 1973.

After winning today in just 89 minutes, Federer dropped to his knees in the middle of the Rod Laver Arena to soak up the adulation of the crowd.

He said: "I love it. I was looking forward to it because I really had the chance to become No1 in the world.

"I missed it in Montreal against Andy Roddick and to take it this time, I was really nervous in the end. I may have a poker face sometimes, but I do get very nervous."

Federer was looking forward to an intriguing match-up in the final against the powerful Safin.

"I am confident. Have you ever seen a No1 in the world who is not that confident?" he added.

"He is a great guy, a great match and a great player. I am looking forward to playing (him). We always have fair matches. He is one of my favourite guys to play against, not just the results.

"I think the whole tennis world is delighted he is in the final, too."

The match never quite reached the heights of intense brilliance of Safin's semi-final victory over Andre Agassi yesterday, but Federer had to save four break points in the seventh game of the first set.

His Spanish opponent, who was the most consistent player in Grand Slam tennis last year with two final appearances and a title in France, also moved above Roddick in the ranking by reaching the last four this week. However, his game suddenly fell apart today.

Ferrero said he could feel pain in his legs when he stretched and was reduced to muttering to himself as his body language spelled certain defeat.

The Spaniard tried to alter the course of the match, by coming forward to the net. He saved an early break point in the third set and briefly recovered confidence, but that was shattered at 3-3 as he slipped to 0-40 down.

Federer was ripping passing shots and firing volleys that Ferrero had little answer to and the match-winning break was then secured.

Meanwhile, top seeds Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suarez won the women's doubles title here.

Spaniard Pascual and Argentine Suarez beat Russian pair Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Likhovtseva, the fourth seeds, 6-4, 6-3.

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Federer on top of the world

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