Federer starts clay campaign with third title

Roger Federer claimed his third title of the year by beating Jarkko Nieminen, of Finland, 6-1, 6-4, in the Munich Open final yesterday.

The top-seeded Swiss player, in his first clay-court event of the season, brushed aside the eighth seed in 56 minutes. Federer, who started the year with victories in Marseilles and Dubai, has now won seven career titles.

"Clay is not my favourite surface and I'm surprised to be playing so well after just a few weeks of training," Federer said. The Swiss dominated the first set and raised his game when Nieminen improved in the second.

In Poland, the Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo beat Venus Williams 6-7, 6-0, 3-0, in the final of the Warsaw Cup. The American was forced to retire because of stomach pains in the third set.