Federer downs del Potro for eighth Basel crown
BASEL: Home favourite Roger Federer claimed his eighth Swiss Indoors title yesterday with a 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-3 final defeat of Juan Martin del Potro. The 36-year-old fought back from a set down to win the 95th ATP title of his career, taking him clear above Ivan Lendl into second on the all-time list behind Jimmy Connors’ mark of 109.
It was Federer’s first success against the Argentine in a Basel final, after the South American beat him in both 2012 and 2013. Federer’s victory boosts his hopes of taking the world number one spot from Rafael Nadal, with the regular season ending next week at the Paris Masters, followed by the year-ending ATP Finals in London. The 19-time Grand Slam champion has now won a Tour-leading seven titles this season after beating Nadal in the Shanghai Masters final a fortnight ago. “Congratulations to Juan Martin,” Federer said. “You’ve had a great run since the US Open (when he beat Federer in the quarterfinals) and before. “I wish that I was able to play every week like you have, it’s going to be difficult for me in the future to do that.”
Del Potro will be playing for a fourth successive week in Paris after coming back earlier in the season from wrist problems, as he looks to snatch a late place for the eightman event in London.
The 29-year-old reached the Shanghai semi-finals and won in Stockholm earlier this month before his run in Basel. Federer lost only two sets during the week as he improved his head-to-head record to 17-6 over del Potro, with a third win in four matches against the former US Open champion in 2017. “It’s unbelievable how well Roger is playing,” said del Potro. “I hope to be in such shape when I’m his age. But I doubt I will be.” Federer now stands 49-4 overall this season. He will make a late decision whether to play the Paris Masters next week, depending on his fitness.