Del Potro beats Federer in Basel
Juan Martin del Potro upset the odds to defeat hometown favourite Roger Federer and win the Swiss Indoors title in Basel.
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The big-hitting Argentinian, who was beaten in the Olympics semi-finals by Federer, secured revenge to beat the world number one 6-4 6-7 (5/7) 7-6 (7/3).
Federer was chasing his sixth Swiss Indoors title and his third in a row, but Del Potro took the first set - thanks to what turned out to be the only break of serve in the match - to give him confidence after losing his previous six meetings with Federer this year.
The 31-year-old Federer was competing in his ninth Swiss Indoors final and hit back in the second set to set up a decider.
The third set, like the second, went all the way to a tie-break as both players took the strain of a match that lasted two hours and 44 minutes.
But with Federer unable to win any of his five break points, it was Del Potro who secured his second successive title, having also won in Vienna last week.
Del Potro said: "It was an unbelievable final, the match was really close. After six losses, it was a big win for me. I was fighting all the time. I got lucky in the end, but I felt that I played a really good match.
"I was focused on my defensive game, keeping the ball in play and building my confidence in order to break his serve. It was tough for both of us. I want to enjoy this title, then get ready to play in Paris and London."
Federer remains one title shy of John McEnroe's career tally of 77, leaving him fourth on the all-time list.
He said: "I thought overall I played pretty good. He got off to a bit of a better start, but it was close.
"He served well at the beginning, which made him the better player in the first set. The second set was close. He didn't play a very good tie-break and then I had my chances early on in the third. I couldn't break, despite doing the right things, but then I didn't play a good tie-break myself.
"He has been playing really well this season. I have played him seven times. Every time, I can see he is extremely tough. He has been making the right improvements throughout the year. He is, basically, right there again."
- Briton Dominic Inglot narrowly missed out on the doubles title in Basel.
Inglot and partner Treat Conrad Huey were beaten 7-5 6-7 (4/7) 10-5 by top seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic.
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