Basel Flashback: Roger Federer moves ahead of Rafael Nadal on..

In 2018, world no. 3 and the top seed Roger Federer won the ninth title in his hometown of Basel following a hard-fought 7-6, 6-4 triumph over a qualifier Marius Copil in an hour and 34 minutes. Competing in his 14th Basel final, Roger delivered the 71st victory in front of the home fans / the 20th in a row - for title number 99 and the 21st ATP 500 crown, leaving Rafael Nadal on 20. Despite not playing his best tennis, Federer defeated five rivals, achieved the 200th ATP semi-final and celebrated the 25th ATP indoor crown. Like never before in Basel, Roger got broken 11 times in the opening four matches against Filip Krajinovic, Jan-Lennard Struff, Gilles Simon and Daniil Medvedev. In the final, Copil stole his serve twice as well, having the advantage in both sets but crumbling under pressure to waste the opportunity for a much better result and a possible first ATP crown.

Roger was magnificent behind his first serve, winning 32 out of 34 points and fending off three out of five break chances, creating the same number of opportunities on the other side and converting three to wrap up the victory in straight sets and made the crowd erupting in joy. The Swiss had 22 winners and 14 unforced errors while Copil stood on a 25-31 ratio, playing brave and aggressive tennis and giving his best against the mighty rival but not winning at least a set.

In 2018, Roger Federer won the ninth Basel trophy over Marius Copil.

The Romanian drew first blood in the third game when Roger hit a double fault, firing a backhand winner in the next game to confirm the break and forge a 3-1 lead. Federer broke back in the sixth game after a poor drop shot from Copil, with both players serving well after that to reach a tie break.

Roger scored the only mini-break in the seventh point and forced Marius's error in the 12th point to secure the breaker 7-5 after 46 minutes. Copil was there to fight in set number two again, clinching a break in the second game when Roger's forehand landed into the net. The Romanian fended off two break points in the fifth game with service winners to open a 4-1 gap and move closer to forcing a decider. Federer stayed focused and broke back with a smash winner in game seven for a massive boost, securing another break at 4-4 to move in front. Serving for the title in game ten, Federer saved a break chance and sealed the deal after repelling a break chance, rattling off five straight games to secure the 99th ATP trophy. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/36k4TfC