HALLE, Germany, June 12 (UPI) -- Roger Federer needed three sets Sunday to beat Marat Safin 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-4 in the championship match of the Gerry Weber Open at Halle, Germany.
Federer, the tournament's top seed and the top-ranked men's player in the world, won $118,000 for his victory. He has won 15 straight matches at Halle and his last 29 in a row on grass, 12 short of the record of 41 compiled by Bjorn Borg from 1976-1980.
Federer's last loss on grass came in June 2002 against Mario Ancic in the first round at Wimbledon. The native of Switzerland ran his record in 2005 to 50-3 with his seventh title of the year.
The second-seeded Safin battled a bum left knee injured in March. He had beaten Federer in the semi-finals on his way to winning the Australian Open in January.
