No Swiss miss for Federer

BEIJING - Switzerland's Roger Federer could not stop hugging partner Stanislas Wawrinka after they beat Swedes Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, to win the men's doubles final yesterday.

The best player in the world for the past five years produced flashes of brilliance throughout the match but he also owed much to his lesser-known partner.

"The thing is, I can't just hug a stranger when I win singles," a beaming Federer said after finally winning the Olympic medal he craved.

"In singles, you're all alone on the court. You win, you sit down. This is quite a surreal moment. It's a joy sharing this victory with somebody else who I like very much, who we had a great two weeks with. It's quite different to anything I've ever gone through."

Federer, who carried the Swiss flag at the opening ceremonies, was clearly fired up throughout the match. The 27-year-old, 12-time Grand Slam champion is usually cool and calm on court, but yesterday he was clenching his fists at crucial points and roaring praise at Wawrinka.

Federer, who will cede his No. 1 world ranking to Spain's Rafael Nadal tomorrow, has endured a barren year and was knocked out of the Olympic singles by American James Blake in the quarterfinals.

He was clearly in no mood to let his chance slip this time.

Fittingly, it was Federer who had the job of serving for gold at 5-3 in the fourth. He obliged, before embarking on a victory lap with the Swiss flag.

"I told myself, let me try for a big second serve because I know I have it in my game, otherwise I'll have Stanley at the net finishing it off himself," Federer joked.

The Swiss had seemed set for a comfortable victory when they opened a two-set lead, but Johansson, a former Australian Open champion, inspired a Swedish comeback. Wawrinka then produced some inspired play to earn an early break in the fourth set, and he and Federer remained rock-solid to the end. (Reuters)