Federer, Wozniacki, Israel all claim big victories

Roger Federer claimed an eighth Swiss Indoor title when he out-lasted Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 in front of a partisan Basel crowd on Sunday.

The 36-year-old local favorite, beaten by Del Potro in consecutive Basel finals in 2012 and 2013, was ragged at times and looked in danger of an unwanted hat-trick, but showed all his battling qualities to turn the match around.

Fourth seed Del Potro, making a late run to try and qualify for next month’s ATP World Tour Finals, broke serve in the first game of the decider, but wilted as world No. 2 Federer stormed back claim his 95th career title to the delight of a raucous crowd.

Victory means Federer trails world No. 1 Rafael Nadal by 1,460 points going into the Paris Masters where 1,000 points are on offer for the champion.

Meanwhile, Caroline Wozniacki’s cruise to the biggest win of her career turned into a desperate struggle before the Dane finally subdued Venus Williams 6-4, 6-4 in the WTA Finals title showdown at an enthralled Singapore Indoor Stadium on Sunday.

The 27-year-old former world No. 1 entered the contest having lost to the evergreen Williams seven times in as many matches, but the resilient Dane served and retrieved brilliantly to emerge with a deserved victory after 88 minutes.

Wozniacki was flawless for an hour as she raced to a set and 5-0 lead but Williams is renowned for an insatiable desire to win and the 37-year-old reeled off four games in a row before her increasingly anxious opponent finally closed out the match.

The Dane will rise three places to world No. 3 in Monday’s rankings, while Romanian Simona Halep will finish the year at No. 1.

Also, Israel’s Davis Cup team completed a 5-0 whitewash of Romania at Ramat Hasharon with two more wins in Sunday’s inconsequential singles matches. The blue-and-white already secured its survival in Europe/Africa Group I on Saturday, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Israel, which will visit South Africa in the first round of Group I in February 2018, wrapped up the tie in style after Mor Bulis defeated Vasile Antonescu 7-6 (4), 6-3 before Edan Leshem beat Nicolae Frunza 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2.

Israel, which was in danger of being relegated to Group II for the first time since 2001, was guided for the first time by captain Harel Levy, who replaced Eyal Ran after he quit following last NPOUIT MPTT UP 6LSBJOF r 3FVUFST BOE "MMPO 4JOBJ