Istanbul, May 4 (IANS): Seventeen-time Grand slam winner Roger Federer has lifted his first Istanbul Open trophy after defeating Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay.

Federer started in the opening set with a 3-0 lead. The 33-year-old finished the set 6-3 in 33 minutes over Pablo Cuevas, who stunned Grigor Dimitrov in the semis, Xinhua news agency reported on Monday.

Cuevas played a much closer set in the second. But it was Federer who broke the Uruguayan on the seventh game for a 4-3 lead, before giving the advantage back on the next game.

However, coming from 0-40 on the ninth game, Cuevas showed heart by earning five consecutive points to move 5-4 ahead. And both played tough and proceeded into tie-break.

Federer lost two championship points at 6-4, and missed two more at 7-6 and 9-8. Cuevas also wasted three set points at 8-7, 10-9 and 11-10.

Federer also claimed his first victory on clay since 2012 Madrid Masters, and added the 85th title in his trophy cabinet.