Effortless Federer
Reuters, Bangkok
World number one Roger Federer retained his Thailand Open title on Sunday with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over teenager Andy Murray.Federer's 11th title of the year extended his winning streak in finals to 24. The Swiss was last beaten in a final in Gstaad in July 2003. The win was also Federer's 77th of the year, just one short of his personal season best set in 2003. Murray, 18, was appearing in his first ATP final and competed well against the top seed. The Scot, who has beaten three seeds this week, will now rise in the rankings from 109 to around 80. Federer has now won 31 consecutive matches, and is closing in on the longest winning streak since Thomas Muster compiled 35 straight victories in 1995. Even the all-time record of 46 straight victories, set by Guillermo Vilas in 1977, is within reach.
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