In-form Andy Murray has warmed up for Wimbledon by winning back-to-back matches at the Aegon Championship on the way to his fourth title at Queen's Club.
Andy Murray's in top form heading into Wimbledon Photo: Photosport
Murray showed no sign of weariness when the world No.3 returned to the court two hours after his semi-final against Viktor Troicki, the Scot dismantling the big-serving South African Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-4 in the final.
It's top seed Murray's 50th career final to join Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Roddick, Boris Becker and John McEnroe as only the fifth man in professional tennis history to land four Queen's crowns.
Murray believes he is in better form than he was two years ago when he beat Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon.
The last time he reigned, in 2013, Murray famously followed up to become the first British man in 77 years to win Wimbledon.
"Sport and life and everything moves on," he said. "If you don't continue to improve and get better, there is going to be people that will take your spot."
"So I feel like I have improved. Physically, I'm definitely in a better place than I was then."
"Obviously, I was having problems with my back around that time, not so much on the grass but on the other surfaces.
"And I feel like I'm using my variety very well just now, something that maybe I wasn't the last couple of years. That's been good for me.
"More experience, more matches - there are a few things I'm doing a little bit better."
Federer takes out Halle again
Swiss great Roger Federer won the Halle Open in Germany for a record-extending eighth time, the world No.2 beating Italy's Andreas Seppi 7-6 6-4 in a successful dress rehearsal on grass going into Wimbledon.
Roger Federer's looking good on grass too Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It's defending champion Federer's fourth title of the year after victories in Istanbul, Dubai and Brisbane, taking his career haul to 86.
"It is a special moment for me, to win this tournament an eighth time," the 17-times grand slam winner said courtside. "I have always enjoyed amazing support here all these year. I always enjoy it here and it is one of my favourite events."
"2013 was difficult, 2014 was better and now 2015 after this week is even better and I hope I can keep it up," he said with Wimbledon starting on June 29.
The Swiss top seed, who has won Wimbledon and Dubai seven times, saved two set points on his serve when he trailed 5-4 in the first set. He dug deep to level for 5-5 in his 10th final appearance in Halle.
He then crushed the Italian in the tiebreak, losing only one point, to take the first set.
Seppi, who reached his second final of the year after Gael Monfils and second seed Kei Nishikori retired in his two previous matches, earned another break opportunity at 2-2 but he sent a backhand into the net.
Federer then squandered three breakpoints at 4-3, allowing Seppi to hold on and win the 10-minute game.
He did everything right, however, two games later to earn two match points and finished off the contest with a spectacular overhead smash.
"I will be here next year," Federer told the crowd. "I will work had and hopefully I will stay fit and be back."