Roger Federer fends off Andreas Seppi to win landmark eighth Halle title

Roger Federer saw off a valiant effort from Andreas Seppi to book his place in the record books with an eighth Gerry Weber Open title in Halle on Sunday.

The world number two became just the third man in the Open era to win a single ATP tournament eight times or more - joining Guillermo Vilas (Buenos Aires) and Rafael Nadal (Barcelona, MonteCarlo and nine times at the French Open) in achieving the landmark.

Federer was given a stern test by the Italian - who had knocked him out of the Australian Open in the third round earlier this year - but he came through on the grass 7-6 (7-1) 6-4.

Seppi was obdurate throughout and did not face a break point in the first set. However, he was punished for failing to take his two set-point opportunities when 5-4 up in the opener, as Federer raced away in the tie-break.

The Swiss - who hit 36 winners to just 15 from Seppi - made no mistake after surging into a 4-0 lead in the shoot-out.

Despite Federer's 11-1 record against Seppi on tour, the 17-time grand slam champion did not have all his own way in the second either and he came under more pressure on his serve from the world number 45.

Federer held firm, though, and - although Seppi survived a marathon near 10-minute game in which he saved three break points, Federer finally broke his resistance.

He registered the only break in the final game, wrapping up a third consecutive title in Halle with a perfectly-executed smash down the line.