Federer lost to Del Potro in the Swiss Indoors Basel final

Juan Martin del Potro denied Roger Federer's 6th Swiss Indoors Basel title by winning the final 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-4 on Sunday.

''It's always a pleasure playing against you,'' del Potro told Federer during the trophy ceremony. ''I know you are the hero here and for me my big inspiration, too.''

"I'm sorry again to beat you here. You make history at every tournament you play. I'm proud to be playing at the same time as you." says del Potro.

"Congratulations to Juan, who has been having a great few years," Federer said. "I had to fight hard all the way through."

''I was lifting my level and in the end I wasn't playing too badly,'' Federer said in German, praising del Potro for ''a great tournament again.''

“It was a pretty high level match overall,” said Federer. “Probably my best match of the tournament overall, but it is always difficult to judge when you lose."

At the start of the pair’s 18th meeting, Federer did not allow del Potro to get into a rhythm in the early stages. Both players tried to keep rallies short with approaches to the net.

Del Potro was taken to deuce in the seventh game, but he hung on and went on to break Federer for a 5-3 lead, courtesy of two double faults and some aggressive returns.

Federer immediately bounced back by breaking del Potro to love, and was then forced to save two set points from 15/40 by winning four straight points.

In the inevitable tie-break, del Potro took a 4-1 lead and clinched the 54-minute opener with a deep forehand return that Federer could only half volley wide.

The crowd came alive again at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, when Federer broke for a 2-0 lead in the second set.

He maintained the advantage and at 5-2, broke del Potro for a third time in the match by rushing to the net on the back of a forehand approach.

Federer lost one of his first service points and hit five aces to win the 36-minute set, which levelled the scoreline. In the 2012 Basel final, del Potro had beaten Federer 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(3).

Del Potro looked to be tiring at the start of the decider, but roused himself to break serve in the first game. Federer had led 40/15, but two double faults cost the hometown favourite. Del Potro then saved two break points in the next game as the momentum of the match shifted in the defending champion’s favour.

Federer clung on at 2-4, 30/40, when del Potro narrowly failed to hit a drop shot for a winner down the line. But del Potro remained strong on serve, winning 16 of his 17 first service points, to record his third straight win over Federer.

"Normally I feel like him, because I lost in the London 2012 Olympics and other important matches against him," said del Potro. "Luck was on my side today and I played better at the end of the match.

"I think Roger is playing well. He played much better when he has the chance to play the top guys. His game improves automatically and looking forward to Paris and London he will be a tough opponent. For me he has the perfect game. I am very proud to have a good relationship with him, as I have learned a lot as a person and a tennis player."

But Federer must now beat Kevin Anderson or Mikhail Youzhny in his second round match at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris on Wednesday to qualify for a record-equalling 12th consecutive year for the ATP World Tour Finals. It would tie Ivan Lendl for most successive appearances at the season finale.

Federer had been attempting to win six or more titles at his fourth different tournament. He has won six or more crowns at Wimbledon (7), the ATP World Tour Finals (6) and the Gerry Weber Open in Halle (6).

Federer, now 40-14 in 2013, was playing his first final since winning the grass-court event in June at Halle, Germany.

erer, now 40-14 in 2013, was playing his first final since winning the low-key grass-court event in June at Halle, Germany.
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/251961.html#J1iOoK5P1BGx7OD7.99

Federer, now 40-14 in 2013, was playing his first final since winning the low-key grass-court event in June at Halle, Germany.
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/251961.html#J1iOoK5P1BGx7OD7.9

Federer, now 40-14 in 2013, was playing his first final since winning the low-key grass-court event in June at Halle, Germany.
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/251961.html#J1iOoK5P1BGx7OD7.99

He remains tied with John McEnroe on 77 career singles titles, third most during the 45-year Open era. Jimmy Connors has 109 titles and Ivan Lendl has 94.

Date: 27th October 2013, Source: ATP and AP