Roger Federer delivers Wimbledon warning to rivals as he wins record 10th Halle title

Federer held a 7-1 winning record over Goffin but the disparity wasn’t evident in the first set as the Belgian made the better start and applied pressure on the top seed’s serve but wasted three break points early on.

The match went to a tiebreak and Federer stepped up his game to his race to win it 7-2.

Federer then stamped his authority on the match by breaking Goffin in the opening game of the second set and then consolidating.

The Swiss star then broke a frustrated Goffin two more times to seal another title in Halle, the 102nd of his career and head into Wimbledon in excellent form.

ROGER FEDERER VS DAVID GOFFIN AS IT HAPPENED

ROGER FEDERER REACTION

He said: "It’s amazing. For some reason, I didn’t think I was going to make it anymore. Didn’t think of it much. I just thought match-for-match because the second round and quarters were so tough that I never really thought about how it would feel if I won and now it’s reality.

"[It’s the] first time ever I could win a title 10 times in one place, so it’s obviously a very special moment in my career.

"Every time I’ve won in Halle, I went on to play really well at Wimbledon. It’s never a guarantee of course, but I’ve been on the Tour for long enough to know what it means.

"Most important is I know I’m injury-free. I’m going to have a couple of days off I guess and then get ready once I’m going to be at Wimbledon practising again. But for now, I’m going to enjoy this one, rest up a little bit, and then look forward to the rest."

SECOND SET (*denotes server)

FEDERER 7-6 6-1 GOFFIN*

Federer backhand return winner, 40-30. Goffin barely finished his service motion before it was past him. Goffin double fault, his fourth of the match, deuce.

Another double fault. Championship point Federer. GAME. SET. MATCH FEDERER. Goffin puts a volley long and it is all over. Halle rewrites the history books again. 

*FEDERER 7-6 5-1 GOFFIN

Goffin's game is unraveling as Federer eases through the gears. The 37-year-old strikes a magnificent forehand winner, 40-15.

And a big serve backs up the double break.

FEDERER 7-6 4-1 GOFFIN*

Goffin nets a backhand as Federer goes on the attack. Federer frames a backhand but it drops in and catches out Goffin, two break points.

Federer goes long on the first. Goffin misjudges a slice and it goes long. Federer gets the double break. 

*FEDERER 7-6 3-1 GOFFIN

Federer holds to 15 as he races through another service game.

FEDERER 7-6 2-1 GOFFIN*

Goffin goes long with forehand, 15-30. Goffin ace, 40-30. And Federer goes long with a forehand to give Goffin his first game of the set.

*FEDERER 7-6 2-0 GOFFIN

Federer serve and volley winner, 30-15. Federer ace, 40-15. And Goffin goes long with a forehand return. Federer in full control.

FEDERER 7-6 1-0 GOFFIN*

Goffin nets a backhand, 30-30. But follows up with an ace then a double fault, deuce. Goffin backhand long, break point Federer.

Federer goes long with a backhand. Relief for Goffin. Goffin forehand into the net after a low Federer slice, second break point.

Federer goes long again. Goffin double fault, third break point for Federer. Wow, another double fault gifts the breakthrough to Federer.

Pressure clearly got to Goffin.

FIRST SET

FEDERER 7-6 GOFFIN - TIEBREAK

Federer forehand winner, 1-0. Goffin nets a forehand, tentative shot there, 2-0. Good Goffin wide serve, 2-1. Federer serve down the T, 3-1.

Sublime Federer half volley pick up, 4-1. Goffin nets a backhand, 5-1. Goffin forehand winner, 5-2. Federer ace, his fifth of the match, 6-2.

Goffin goes long with a return, 7-2. An impeccable tiebreak from the Swiss star.

FEDERER 6-6 GOFFIN*

Back-to-back aces for Goffin. And more good serving takes the first set into a tiebreak.

*FEDERER 6-5 GOFFIN

Federer double fault, 30-15. Followed by an ace. And he finishes off with a forehand winner.

FEDERER 5-5 GOFFIN*

Goffin nets a forehand, 0-15. Then a volley as he attempted to wrong-foot Federer, 0-30. Good serving from Goffin, 30-30.

Goffin forehand winner, 40-30. Deuce as Federer rips a return at Goffin's feet. And Goffin draws level again with more good serving

*FEDERER 5-4 GOFFIN

Federer shanks a forehand wide, 15-30. Goffin backhand return long, poor shot. Federer struggling badly to make first serves.

But he finds one to ace Goffin and stay in the lead.

FEDERER 4-4 GOFFIN*

Second ace of the match for Goffin to finish. Federer isn't making much headway in the Belgian's service games.

*FEDERER 4-3 GOFFIN

Goffin backhand winner up the line, 0-30. Federer pulls it back to 30-30. 'Come on' Federer shouts as Goffin nets a backhand, 40-30. 

And a big serve down the T seals another game.

FEDERER 3-3 GOFFIN*

Federer rifles a backhand down the line, 0-15. The Swiss misses with a backhand to allow Goffin to go 40-15 in front.

Federer responds with a cross court forehand winner, 40-30. Goffin holds when Federer goes just wide with a backhand.

*FEDERER 3-2 GOFFIN

Federer nets a forehand, 0-30. And another. Three break points for Goffin. Federer saves the first two. Goffin forehand into the net. Three chances come and go.

Beautiful Federer drop shot. Back to deuce as Federer goes wide with a forehand. But Federer survives to stay in the lead.

FEDERER 2-2 GOFFIN*

Federer forehand down the line and Goffin nets his attempted pass, 30-30. But the Belgian comes through unscathed as he gets Federer on the run.

*FEDERER 2-1 GOFFIN

Federer aces to complete a love hold.

FEDERER 1-1 GOFFIN*

Federer goes on the attack but Goffin stays solid from the baseline. Goffin aces to make an ideal start.

*FEDERER 1-0 GOFFIN

Federer volley winner to open the match. Brilliant Goffin return as Federer tries to serve and volley, 30-15.

Tidy start from Federer as he finishes off the game with a forehand winner.

12:05: Federer will serve first...

12:00: Federer and Goffin walk out to huge ovations from the crowd.

11:55: Federer has also been talking about his life post-tennis ahead of the final.

"My future is open. Some players need a very clear plan of what they will do ater tennis, but I don't," he said.

"I want to have flexibility, for my family. There will be plenty of opportunities."

"I have my foundation, and I have various sponsors who I have been with a long time who will stay with me after my career."

11:50: TEN MINUTES TO GO KLAXON!

11:45: Meanwhile, Federer is well aware of the threat posed by Goffin.

"He’s a great guy. I really like his game," Federer said.

“He’s got one of the best backhands in the game. [He is] super fast on his feet and he’s got great footing on a court that’s really difficult.

"He played a great match against Berrettini today to stop his run and also against Zverev. I watched that match and that was mighty impressive. So I think I’m going to have a tough final, anyway at this stage, but particularly against David, who I have a lot of respect for."

11:40: Goffin has struggled with injury over the last 12 months but has come through a difficult draw and is raring to go.

"I am feeling great," Goffin said.

“It was a great feeling on the court today. My serve helped me again. I’m serving well, I’m serving well this week. I’m playing well, more aggressive. “I’m hitting the ball really well. So, it’s a great feeling this week to be in the final, first final on grass in an ATP 500.

"I’m really happy, especially the way I played, the way I worked the past weeks, so it paid off this week."

11:30: Federer and Goffin will be walking onto court for their match at midday BST in what should be an entertaining final.

11:20: Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of the Halle Open final between Roger Federer and David Goffin.