David Nalbandian began a late charge towards the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai by winning the Davidoff Swiss Indoors and surging to 12th in the ATP Champions Race on Sunday.

The Argentine atoned for his post-Wimbledon slump when he defeated Fernando Gonzalez 6-4 6-3 6-2 in the Basle final to claim his second title of the year.

Nalbandian could qualify for Shanghai in the final week of the regular ATP season by winning the BNP Paribas Masters, which begins on Monday.

He is only the second South American to win the Davidoff Swiss Indoors and the first since countryman Guillermo Vilas won in 1978.

Nalbandian, 35-23 on the season, had a disappointing 5-9 record coming into Basle since his stunning run to the Wimbledon final.

Afterwards, he said: ""I played really, really well. I'm very happy right now. I did almost everything perfectly and never dropped my level.

"I think it was difficult to play me today. I had really good tactics. I have to enjoy the victory but I have a Masters Series event to play next week. I have to be focused.

"I have to work on everything but I don't think I have any bad shots. If you work hard the results will come."

Gonzalez is 40-21 on the season, including a second title last month on clay in Palermo. He moves to 16th in the ATP Champions Race.

"I'm very disappointed; I didn't feel too good on court," he said. "But I played really good tennis this week. The tournament was good for me.

"David played very well today and all week. He has had a fantastic week and a fantastic year. I played well but it was tough to play David."