ISTANBUL (AP) – Top-seeded Roger Federer claimed his 85th title Sunday with a 6-3, 7-6 (11) win over Pablo Cuevas in the final of the Istanbul Open tennis tournament.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner fended off strong resistance from the third-seeded Uruguayan, who saved four match points.
Federer, who claimed his first title on clay since winning in Madrid in 2012, broke for a 4-3 lead in the second set but dropped his serve immediately after hitting a double fault and missing two forehands.
The Swiss continued to struggle with consistency in the tiebreaker but a superb backhand volley earned him a fifth match point that he converted when Cuevas sent a forehand in the net.
It was Federer’s third title this season following victories in Brisbane and Dubai on hard court.
