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

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Federer to face Del Potro in Swiss Indoors Basel final

Roger Federer earned a rematch with Juan Martin del Potro for his hometown Swiss Indoors title by edging Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 6-7 (3), 7-5 on Saturday.

Federer advanced to his eighth straight Basel final with the victory against the 40th-ranked Canadian.

The sixth-ranked Federer faltered when serving for the match at 5-3 in the second set, and fell behind 3-1 in the third before rallying.

Federer is a five-time champion at Basel and seeks to reclaim the title taken by the fifth-ranked Argentine last year in a thrilling three set victory.

"Hopefully I can get my revenge on him but you know on the top of it I am playing for the World Tour finals," said Federer.

"You know things are looking good. I am not qualified yet for London but that is not really in the back of my mind. I am just really focused on playing good finals tomorrow," he told reporters.

''It's always a pleasure for me,'' del Potro said about the prospect of playing Federer. ''I know all the people are waiting for that final and it would be like a rematch for him.''

If Federer wins Sunday, he'll secure his place at the ATP Finals in London.

He'll also close out his most difficult season, which was beset by back injuries and defeats to lower-ranked opponents.

Federer improved his season record to 40-13, the fewest wins since a 49-21 mark in 2001 when he turned 20.

In a dramatic third set, Federer's wayward groundstrokes allowed Pospisil to break for a 3-1 lead.

Federer reclaimed the break immediately, but had to fend off another break chance for Pospisil before holding at 4-4.

At 5-5, Federer wasted three break chances before finally leading in the set when Pospisil fired a forehand long. Federer clinched victory with a powerful service winner and raised both arms in triumph after 2 hour, 40 minutes.

Del Potro has a 4-13 career record against Federer, though he has won their past two meetings.

Date: 26th October 2013, Source: AP

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Lethal Federer cuts down Dimitrov for Basel semis

Roger Federer showed his lethal best when it mattered most as he beat Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 7-6 (2) on Friday to reach the Swiss Indoors semi-finals.

Federer, a five-time champion in the city of his birth, played a second-set tiebreaker to perfection against the 22-year-old.

Seventeen-time major winner Federer also strengthened his position for a place in the eight-man ATP World Tour Finals starting in London in 10 days.

He stands provisional seventh as he heads into a Saturday semi-final with Canadian Vasek Pospisil, who beat Ivan Dodig 7-6 (11), 6-4.

Federer could qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals in London for the 12th straight year if he wins a sixth title in Basel on Sunday.

Roger showed great tennis during several periods, even though he had to battle every now and then. He had to fight off five break-balls in his first service game but found his rhythm from there on, showing a great rest of the opening set. Dimitrov broke him early in the second set, Roger falling behind 3-5. He managed to save three set-points and take the set into a tie-breaker - which he clearly decided in his favour.

With his 50th victory in Basel he has now won 50 or more matches at 5 different tournaments (the others being Grand Slams).

"It was very important to win in two sets," said Federer.

"There were a lot of free gifts out there in some games.

"When I saved three set points in the second set. I just told myself to play one point at a time and hope to get there. I broke him for 5-5 and that made it difficult for him. I was able to come through well in the tiebreaker.

"It always feels good to win at home," added Federer.

Date: 25th October 2013, Source: AFP and RF Official

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Federer hangs tough in Basel to reach quarterfinals

Roger Federer stayed tough on Wednesday, fighting past Denis Istomin 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals. Should the Swiss win his sixth Basel crown this week, he would qualify for the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

"It's an amazing atmosphere for me to play in," Federer said about playing on home soil. "As a kid I was always thinking about Wimbledon and Basel. For me those were the two great things. It's important to never forget that dream. It's the dream I have been chasing after since I was a kid."

"Tough matches like this one is just what I need right now. They also give me self-confidence. I am happy with my performance," Roger said.

The Basel native overcame a slow start to beat Istomin in one hour and 51 minutes, notching his 49th win at the ATP World Tour 500 indoor hard-court tournament. He fended off four break points in the second game of the deciding set, before reeling off the last five games to claim victory.

"I think the crowd rarely gets the opportunity to see me play three sets, whether good or bad," Federer said. "It was nice seeing the crowd fight for me and try to get me back into the match. It gives you that extra push to try harder."

Federer won the title in 2006-08 and 2010-11, and finished runner-up to Juan Martin del Potro in the final last year.

Date: 23rd October 2013, Source: ATP

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Roger Federer opens Basel campaign

Roger Federer opened his campaign for a sixth Swiss Indoors Basel title on Monday with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Adrian Mannarino. The Swiss has two tournaments left with which to secure his place at the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and is currently eighth in the ATP Race To London.

Federer improved to a 48-8 event record as he defeated Mannarino in 71 minutes. The right-hander let slip an initial service break lead, but reeled off 10 of the last 12 games to improve to 4-0 in his Head2Head series with the Frenchman.

"I think it was a pretty good performance for a first round," said Federer. "I had some good spells and some that were tougher. I fought through and stayed positive throughout. I kept playing aggressive, the way I would like to play for the week."

Federer is chasing his second ATP World Tour title of the season, having won his 77th trophy at the Gerry Weber Open in June (d. Youzhny). For a place in the Basel quarter-finals, he goes on to face Denis Istomin or Horacio Zeballos.

"Clearly I want to do really well here," said Federer. "It all kind of started here for me. It's very special for me. I just need to be careful I don't put too much pressure on myself. But ever since I was able to win the tournament here in 2006 for the first time, that pressure has kind of gone. Now, it's about enjoying it."

Date: 21st October 2013, Source: ATP

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Federer looks for home advantage in London push

Roger Federer is looking to use the home advantage next week at the Swiss Indoors Basel as he bids to secure his place in the eight-man field at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

The Swiss goes into the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in eighth place in the Emirates ATP Race To London, with the top nine set to qualify after Andy Murray’s withdrawal. The 32-year-old Federer is a six-time champion at the season finale and is bidding to qualify for the 12th consecutive time.

"I definitely think it's an advantage playing at home,” said Federer. “I'm here to try and play well and qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, but the focus is totally on this tournament. I'll take it step-by-step this week in Basel and in Paris. Mentally, I'm starting to focus on the first match and I hope it's going to go well for me.”

Federer has a 47-8 record in his hometown tournament, winning the title in 2006-08 and 2010-11. The right-hander is looking to win his second ATP World Tour title of the season and put himself in a strong position to qualify going into the final event of the regular season, the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Paris.

One of the players in Federer’s way of qualifying is his countryman Stanislas Wawrinka, with whom he won the 2008 doubles gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. Wawrinka is currently in seventh place in the Emirates ATP Race To London and is looking to qualify for the season finale for the first time on the back of a career-best season, which has seen him reach his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open (l. to Djokovic).

"I'll be happy if Stan qualifies,” said Federer. “If that means I'll miss it, [I accept that]. It means he was the better player for the year. I'm always happy for his results. I don't see it as a rivalry as such. We'll see at the end of Paris how it's all going to pan out. But clearly with Murray not playing it gives an extra spot and a little more air for both of us. I hope he can play a great tournament.”

Federer is playing his first tournament since the news emerged of his split from coach Paul Annacone. Speaking to assembled media on Sunday, Federer explained, “We had a great working relationship and a great friendship as well. That's something I know is going to continue. We're still in touch almost every other day.

“We talked a lot. It was always important to communicate about our feelings and that's what we did after the training block in Dubai. It went really well, but I felt it was best to talk about it and he also thought it was good to have a change and end it there. I think we had a great three and a half years. All I can do is thank him for all his efforts. We got the most out of each other, which was the idea for the relationship.”

Federer has endured his most barren season on the ATP World Tour in the past decade, limited to just one title so far and no Grand Slam finals. The Swiss still feels he has plenty to offer in his playing career, though, and remains keen to compete at the Rio Olympics in 2016. "[Playing at the Rio Olympics] is something I'd like to achieve. That doesn't mean I'm going to end my career there, or earlier or later. It's just an idea.

“As long as my body and mind is ready to go to travel, I'm happy to be doing what I'm doing, I'm successful. I'll be playing for some time and that hasn't changed due to a tough six months right now.”

Date: 20th October 2013, Source: ATP

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Federer confirms he’s playing Swiss Indoors Basel

Roger Federer says he will play at the Swiss Indoors Basel in October, ending speculation he'd skip his hometown tournament because of a contractual dispute.

“I’ve played in Basel over the years, whenever I was not hurt. Everyone knows how much this tournament means to me, and that is still true. I’ve been a ball boy, played in the qualies and even as a junior I hit with Andre Agassi.” says Federer to Swiss daily Tages Anzeiger.

“I’ve experienced many memorable moments in this unique atmosphere with the great fans, and I am pleased extremely to be able to experience this year. I can play in Basel also no contracts or arrangements, if I feel like it, and I did.”

The five-time champion says he never said that he wouldn't play in Basel. He says he's trying ''to make this complicated issue simpler.''

Federer's contract with the event ended last year. Swiss media reported that Federer's management sought a seven-figure fee and couldn't reach an agreement with tournament organizers.

“To compete on home soil is very special for me because I’m on the road all year. I do not want to miss this chance.”

Date: 10th April 2013, Source: DPA and AP

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