Roger Federer claims 98th career title with victory in Stuttgart

The result takes Federer's list of career titles up to 98, within two of a famous century. Jimmy Connors is the only player in the history of the men's game to have reached a century of top-level titles, racking up 109 over the course of a 24-year career.

"It's a great comeback for me," said Federer, who was playing his first tournament after an 11-week break, having sidestepped the entire claycourt season," said Federer.

"I'm really happy. I thought it was a good final from my side. I think I played very well throughout the tournament, actually, having not played for a while.

"Maybe I was a little bit better on the bigger points. Of course I'm so happy to have won here, finally, in Stuttgart."

However Federer didn't have things all his own way against the big-serving Canadian, Raonic, who slammed 14 aces during the two-set encounter.

A single break of serve was enough for 36-year-old Federer to take the first set 6-4. But the second set was even tighter, with the Swiss star winning the decisive tiebreak 7-3.

Victory in Germany cements Federer as the World Number One ahead of the defence of his Wimbledon title on the grass of SW19.

On Monday, Federer will begin a record-extending 310th week at the top of the rankings before seeking to defend his Halle grasscourt crown. If he manages to do so, he will then seek that landmark 100th career title at Wimbledon.

Wimbledon begins on July 2, with the men's final coming on July 15 - the same day as the football World Cup final.