Basel Flashback: Roger Federer edges Juan Martin del Potro for eighth hometown crown

Playing in his 13th hometown final and 11th in a row in 2017, Roger Federer took down a two-time Basel champion Juan Martin del Potro 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and 31 minutes to lift his eighth trophy in front of the home crowd. It was their 24th meeting and the 18th win for the Swiss star, who lost Basel finals to Delpo in 2012 and 2013. Also, they played four times in 2017 and Roger grabbed three wins, losing the most crucial encounter at the US Open in four sets. It was the 95th ATP crown for the Swiss, leaving Ivan Lendl on 94 and moving 14 away from Jimmy Connors. Federer was unable to produce the level of tennis he brought against David Goffin on the previous night, struggling to find the first serve and making some uncharacteristic errors in the critical moments. Nonetheless, his second serve worked better than del Potro's, saving four out of seven break chances to limit the damage behind the initial shot.

The Argentine struggled to keep the pace after missing the first serve, playing against 15 break points and suffering five breaks to hand the victory to Federer. Roger was a break up twice in the opening set, serving for the set at 5-4 before Juan Martin pulled the break back and extended the set to steal it 7-5 in the tie break. Federer clinched the second set with a late break in game ten and controlled the decider despite losing serve in the opening game. Del Potro couldn't stay ahead, getting broken in games two and four to end on the losing side and miss 200 valuable points in the ATP Race for London. It was the seventh title of the season for Federer, reaching that number for the first time since 2007 and leaving Rafael Nadal on six, reducing the gap to the Spaniard to 1460 points in the ATP Race. Del Potro pretty much stole the opening set, winning three points less than Federer (the Swiss served at 43%) and facing eight break points, showing the real clutch every time he needed a reliable point behind the initial shot.

In 2017, Roger Federer defeated Juan Martin del Potro for the 95th ATP title.

It was a shaky start for both players, with two breaks in the opening games and a break chance for Roger at 2-2 that Juan Martin erased with a forehand winner. The Argentine faced two break points in game seven, producing his sharp forehands to remain unbroken and open a 4-3 gap. Finally, Federer found a way to deliver a break in game nine after a marvelous defense and a forehand down the line winner that sent him 5-4 in front. He was two points away from the set in game ten, but Juan Martin stayed alive and earned a break when Roger's forehand landed long, leveling the score at 5-5 and prolonging the set. From 3-0 up in the tie break, Roger lost the next six points, including two on his serve, allowing Juan Martin to clinch it with a service winner at 6-5 after 65 minutes. Del Potro struggled even more with his second serve in set number two, unable to pull a turnaround like in the first part of the encounter.

Roger saved two break points in games three and five and del Potro did the same at 1-2, staying neck and neck ahead of the set's closing stages, with the pressure on the Swiss. He dealt with it like a true champion, breaking his opponent in game ten to clinch the set 6-4 after a costly forehand error from Juan Martin. Instead of building on that, Federer suffered a break at the beginning of the final set after netting a volley, giving his fans another scare. It didn't last for long, though, as he broke back immediately with a forehand down the line winner. Another good return gave Roger a crucial break in game four, having to serve well from that point to seal the deal. Returners claimed two points in the next four games but failed to reach a deuce or a break chance, leaving the Swiss to serve for the title at 5-3. Federer opened the game with a good serve and two sharp forehands, moving over the top when del Potro's return finished beyond the baseline.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3n33GA0