FEDERER WINS SEVENTH BASEL TITLE

ROGER FEDERER defeated long-time rival Rafael Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 yesterday to win his seventh title at the Swiss Indoors as he played the home final for a record tenth consecutive year. Federer and Nadal last met in an Australian Open semifinal nearly two years ago and played their last final in Rome in 2013, both of which Nadal won. The 34-year-old Swiss, world No.2 behind Novak Djokovic, claimed the 88th title of his career. The Basel trophy was his sixth of the season as he polished his record to 58-9. Federer’s victory was his 11th against Nadal, who has won 23 of their meetings. Victory in two hours in front of a charged-up crowd at the St Jakobshalle gave Federer his first victory over Nadal since his 2012 triumph in the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters, ending a five-match winning streak by the Spaniard. Nadal had won 14 of their previous finals, with Federer claiming six. But the Swiss improved to 5-1 against Nadal on indoor surfaces.