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Switzerland\'s Roger Federer returns the ball to Mikhail Youzhny of Russia during the final of the ATP Gerry Weber Open tennis tournament in Halle , Westphalia, Germany, Sunday, June 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Roger Federer beats Mikhail Youzhny to win Gerry Weber Open for 1st title of the year

HALLE, Germany – Roger Federer overcame a sluggish start Sunday to win his first title of the year by beating unseeded Mikhail Youzhny 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 at the Gerry Weber Open.

Returning to grass in his favourite warm-up for Wimbledon, it took the top-seeded Federer until the middle of the second set to come out of his lethargy and start hitting shots with confidence.

Federer won his first title since Cincinnati in August and his sixth in Halle, the first since 2008. Four of Federer’s seven Wimbledon titles have come after triumphs in Halle.

The former top-ranked player, who is now No. 3, won his 77th career title.

Federer will be looking to extend his record of 17 Grand Slam championships when he defends his title at Wimbledon.

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