Federer retains Thailand title

World number one Roger Federer [Images] retained his Thailand Open title in Bangkok, on Sunday with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over British 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.

"Before Queens or Wimbledon, if somebody had said I was going to be, whatever, in the top 80 in the world in three months I would have said I'd got no chance," said Murray.

"But I got a lot of self-belief after I won against some really good players at Queens and Wimbledon, and then I went over to the States and played some smaller tournaments and had a lot of confidence and I won a couple of them.

"So it's been a pretty good three months for me. I wasn't expecting it, but I always believed I could get to the top. So it's a pretty big deal and I'm happy with what I've done."

Murray, handed a week wild card into the tournament, double-faulted to lose the second game and also had to fight off two break points at 4-1 before Federer wrapped up the set with a forehand volley.

The second set was more competitive, despite the Scot putting himself under pressure by dropping his first service game.

Murray competed well in the rallies, hit his forehand well and moved smoothly to the ball. He even toyed with Federer at one stage, drawing in him to the net and then executing a lob.

After holding off a break point for 4-1, the Scot's persistence was rewarded when a hooked forehand from Federer allowed him to level at 3-3.

Murray survived two break points at 4-4 but the top seed did break to lead 6-5 and then held serve to secure the title.

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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