Federer repeats as Nasdaq champion

The men’s final at the Nasdaq-100 Open came down to a handful of points, and Roger Federer won them.

Federer came from behind in every tiebreaker to claim the Key Biscayne, Fla., title for the second year in a row Sunday, beating Ivan Ljubicic 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (6).

The top-ranked Federer won three tiebreakers in a match for the first time to remain unbeaten since August 2004 in the United States, where he has won 48 consecutive matches and the past seven tournaments he has entered.

Federer improved to 28-1 overall this year, with the only loss to Rafael Nadal in Dubai.

Ljubicic, seeded sixth, settled for runner-up despite losing only 12 points on his first serve. He hit 21 aces, and during one stretch won 13 service points in a row.

But Federer won the pivotal points, such as when he faced set point in the final tiebreaker at 5-6. He hit a pair of service winners, then spun a return off the net cord. It dribbled at the foot of the net on Ljubicic’s side of the court for a winner and the championship, and Federer walked to the net with a sheepish grin.

Federer received $533,350 for his fourth title this year. Ljubicic, a finalist in a U.S. event for the first time, earned $266,675.

Speedskating

South Koreans dominate Worlds

The South Koreans completed a dominant weekend at the World Short Track Speedskating Championships, winning men’s overall gold and silver medals plus the women’s overall gold in Minneapolis.

Ahn Hyun-soo, the 1,000- and 1,500-meter individual champion, finished first and defended his world championship with 68 points. Lee Ho-suk, with 60 points, took second overall – a feat made easier by the absence of American standout Apolo Anton Ohno, who chose not to compete in the event.

Jin Sun-yu, who won gold in the 1,000, 1,500 and 3,000 events, was the women’s overall champion with 68 points – eight more than China’s Wang Meng, the 500 winner. Canada’s Kalyna Roberge grabbed the overall bronze.

Tremblay, who finished second in the 1,000 after winning the 500 on Saturday, was the overall bronze winner on the men’s side.

OUTDOORS

Clark sets Bassmasters four-day catch record

Preston Clark shattered the Bassmasters four-day catch record by more than 7 pounds to win the Santee Cooper Showdown in Manning, S.C.

Clark caught 115 pounds, 15 ounces of fish during the Elite Series event on Santee Cooper Reservoir. The previous record was 108 pounds, 12 ounces – set by Dean Rojas in 2001 on Florida’s Lake Tohopekaliga.

Aaron Martens of Alabama finished second with 108 pounds, 4 ounces – just 8 ounces off the four-day record.

Clark earned $100,000 for the victory.

“I have a lot of additional responsibilities coming in the near future,” Clark said, referring to his wife, Katrina, who is pregnant with triplets.

“We also recently decided to purchase a house, but a good deal of this money will go to college tuition.”