Basel Flashback: Roger Federer eases past Kei Nishikori and wins fifth title

After missing the home ATP event in 2004 and 2005, Roger Federer was back in Basel from 2006, standing as the player to beat ever since and conquering ten titles. In 2011, the Swiss star couldn't follow the pace of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal despite good results at the most significant events. Still, the tables turned after winning his fifth title in Basel on November 6, defeating Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-3 in an hour and 12 minutes to finish the season on a high note after winning the last 17 matches he played after the US Open, including titles in Paris and London! Potito Starace was his first rival, and Roger prevailed 7-6, 6-4, scoring just one break of serve but keeping his service games intact to secure the place in round two, where he met Jarkko Nieminen for the third time in Basel. Roger lost serve twice but grabbed five breaks from seven chances in a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory that set the quarter-final meeting with Andy Roddick, whom he beat in Basel back in 2001 and 2002.

Federer dominated from start to finish in a 6-3, 6-2 triumph, dropping ten points on serve and securing the win in just over an hour to book the semi-final spot. In an all-Swiss clash, Roger ousted Stan Wawrinka 7-6, 6-2 for his eighth hometown final, facing Kei Nishikori in the title clash. It was the first meeting between Roger and Nishikori, who played in his third ATP final and the first on an indoor surface. The Japanese performed well in the opening four matches but stood no chance against such a strong rival in front of his crowd and conditions he liked the most. As we already said, the encounter lasted just 72 minutes, and Roger was the dominant figure, losing six points on serve and saving the only break point to mount the pressure on the other side of the net and wait for his chances on the return. They had to come against the rival who couldn't rely on his initial shot and landed only 46% of the first serve in, facing 13 break chances and getting broken four times to settle with the runner-up spot.

In 2011, Roger Federer stormed over Kei Nishikori in the Basel final.

Roger kept the rallies on his racquet, hitting 24 winners and 14 unforced errors. In comparison, Kei placed only seven winners, unable to move Roger around the baseline and create the gap in the more extended exchanges. Federer had a clear advantage in the shortest points up to four strokes thanks to his booming serve and aggressive approach with the first groundstroke, forging the lead in the mid-range and lengthy exchanges to leave Nishikori without even a glimpse of a chance. It was the worst possible start for the Japanese, who lost five points in a row in the opening game to hand it to Roger after a weak volley at the net. Federer confirmed the break with a service winner and moved 4-1 in front with another break of serve when Nishikori sent a forehand long. A fantastic volley winner delivered another excellent hold for Roger, and the set was in his hands after just 28 minutes when Kei hit a double fault to get broken for the third time at 1-5.

The lower-ranked player fended off break chances at the beginning of the second set to end his downfall. Still, Roger was just too good on the return, taking the ball early from inside the baseline and converting the fifth chance in the sixth game with a beautiful forehand lob winner that sent him 4-2 ahead, moving closer to the finish line. Three service winners in the next one pushed Roger a game away from the victory, hitting another to repel a break point while serving for the title at 5-3. Federer placed an incredible forehand winner for the first match point and converted it with a smash winner to celebrate the fifth title in the last six years in the hometown.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/368Ofzh