Finally, Federer Wins on Clay

Roger Federer played his best tennis to earn his first tournament victory on clay.

Federer defeated Marat Safin, 6-1, 6-3, 6-4, Sunday to win the Hamburg Masters at Hamburg, Germany.

He had lost only one set this week en route to his second victory of the season.

“It’s been an unbelievable tournament for me,” said the 11th-seeded Federer. “It was probably the best match of my career.”

Despite the loss, Safin, the 2000 U.S. Open champion, will become the new leader in the Champions Race. Federer will move into the No. 2 position.

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Pete Sampras and Andy Roddick each lost in three sets and France beat the United States, 3-0, at the World Team Championships at Duesseldorf, Germany.

Sampras lost, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 7-6 (2), to Nicolas Escude and Roddick lost, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, to Arnaud Clement. Clement and Escude defeated James Blake and Jared Palmer, 6-1, 6-1, in doubles.

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Mike and Bob Bryan won qualifying matches to advance to the main draw of the Raiffeisen Grand Prix at St. Poelten, Austria. Mike beat Herbert Wiltschnig, 6-0, 6-0. Bob beat Markus Kanellos, 6-3, 7-6 (4).