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Roger Federer beats Milos Raonic to win Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart

The Swiss claims 98th title of his career after three months away

during the final match on day 7 of the Mercedes Cup at Tennisclub Weissenhof on June 17, 2018 in Stuttgart, Germany.
Image: Roger Federer returned to world No 1 after his semi-final win over Nick Kyrgios

Roger Federer celebrated his return to the top of the world rankings by beating Milos Raonic 6-4 7-6 (7-3) to win the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart.

The Swiss, playing his first tournament since March after skipping the clay-court season, beat Canadian Milos Raonic for his 98th career title.

His run to the final in Germany ensured he usurped previous world No 1 Rafael Nadal at the top of the ATP rankings, and if he wins in Halle next week - a traditional Federer stronghold - he will arrive at Wimbledon in July looking for his 100th title on tour.

during the final match on day 7 of the Mercedes Cup at Tennisclub Weissenhof on June 17, 2018 in Stuttgart, Germany.
Image: Federer opted to sit out the entirety of the clay-court season

It was Raonic who memorably left Federer on the Centre Court floor on his way to the 2016 Wimbledon final, but the 36-year-old was in no mood to allow a repeat.

A single break of serve in the first set was enough for him to take that, though he did have to fend off two break points on his own delivery.

Neither player could muster any break points in a second set heavily dominated by the serve, meaning it had to be decided by a tie-break, which Federer won.

Canada's Milos Raonic returns the ball to Switzerland's Roger Federer during the final match at the ATP Mercedes Cup tennis tournament in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany, on June 17, 2018
Image: Milos Raonic missed the French Open with a right knee injury

It secured his third title of 2018, his 18th on grass and puts him on the verge of a century of crowns.

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The 20-time Grand Slam singles winner next heads to Halle for a tournament he has won eight times in total and in four of the last five years.

Victory there would put him one away from becoming just the second man to win 100 singles titles, behind Jimmy Connors on 109.

Live ATP Tennis

We will return for more tennis coverage from the ATP Tour when we head to Germany for the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, live on Sky Sports Arena from 11am on Monday, 18 June.

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