Federer Handles Nadal For Miami Open Win

By ESPN

Weary from three months of winning, Roger Federer hit one last shot Sunday, whacking a celebratory forehand into the stands to punctuate his 6-3, 6-4 victory over Rafael Nadal in the Miami Open final.

Now comes a well-deserved two-month break.

"I'm not 24 anymore," Federer said. "I need a rest. My body needs healing."

He's not complaining. At 35, Federer is playing some of the best tennis of his career -- so good that he's even dominating his longtime nemesis. Federer beat Nadal for the third time this year and became the oldest men's champion in the 33-year history of the Miami Open.

Federer also defeated Nadal in the Australian Open final in January, and two weeks ago en route to the Indian Wells title. He's the first three-time champion this year on the men's tour -- and ready for a break.

The father of four has an exhibition scheduled next week, but plans to skip the bulk of the clay court season before returning for the French Open in late May.

"I want to stay healthy," Federer said. "When I'm healthy and feeling good, I can produce tennis like this. If I'm not feeling this good, there's no chance I'll be in finals competing with Rafa."

Federer said he arrived at Key Biscayne with low expectations, given his heavy workload of late, and felt tired in the final. Humid, 85-degree weather didn't help.

He won anyway. Nadal wore neon yellow, but there was no slowing Federer.

"On the big points I was just maybe a little bit better," Federer said. "It was more of a fight mode I was in today trying to stay afloat. It has been a draining week."

The victory turned back the clock, as Federer has done so often of late. He also won the Miami Open in 2005 and 2006.

Nadal fell to 0-5 in Miami Open finals, including in 2005 against Federer. Nadal was also runner-up in 2008, 2011 and 2014.

"It's disappointing for me that I am trying during all my career," Nadal told the crowd with a smile during the trophy ceremony. "Every three years I am in this position, but always with the smaller trophy."

Said Federer to his rival: "I truly believe you are going to still win this tournament. You're too good not to."

Both players agreed the match was closer than the score and was decided by a handful of points.

"I got a few important ones," Federer said. "I played the right way, like I have so often done this year, just very committed, and it paid off at the very end."

Konta Wins Women's Title

Johanna Konta lofted a lob off the baseline for a winner on championship point, waited for instant replay to confirm the call and even then hesitated to celebrate the biggest title of her 11-year career.

"To be honest, I actually couldn't kind of believe it was over," she said with a grin.

Seeded 10th, Konta was an unlikely champion, but the Australian-born Briton beat Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-3 in Saturday's final at the Miami Open.

Konta, a late bloomer at 25, improved to 19-3 this year and will climb to a career-high No. 7 next week. She was the first British woman to reach a Key Biscayne final, a tournament she was unable to qualify for two years ago.

"On paper it looks like a quick turnaround," she said. "But it definitely has been a lot of years and a long time coming."

The more aggressive player in the final, Konta finished with 33 winners, compared with eight for the 12th-seeded Wozniacki. Konta showed her versatility on the final point, drawing Wozniacki to the net with a drop shot and then floating a lob off the back of the line for the clincher.

Konta received $1.18 million. Her other titles came at Sydney this year and Stanford in 2016.

"She's very aggressive," Wozniacki said. "She takes the ball early and stresses the opponent."

Both finalists benefited from the absence of eight-time champion Serena Williams, who missed the tournament because of a knee injury.