rogerfederer.com - Roger beats Ljubicic to retain Miami title

Roger beats Ljubicic to retain Miami title

Roger beat Ivan Ljubicic in three tight sets 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (8-6) to win the Nasdaq-100 Open for the second straight year.

The world number one won the pivotal points, such as when he faced set point in the final tiebreaker at 5-6. He hit a pair of service winners, then spun a return off the net cord. It dribbled at the foot of the net on Ljubicic’s side of the court for a winner and the championship. He apologized for the manner of victory as he approached Ljubicic at the net.

Roger improved to 10-3 lifetime against Ljubicic, whom he defeated for a seventh straight meeting, extending his winning streak in the ATP Masters Series to 24 matches and on American soil to 48 matches.

He became the first man to win titles at Indian Wells and Key Biscayne back-to-back in consecutive years.

"I was extremely happy with the way I played," Roger said. "To do back-to-back at Indian Wells and Key Biscayne is unbelievable. I never thought I would do it again."

Roger improved to 28-1 overall this year, with the only loss to Rafael Nadal in Dubai.