Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro overcame a partisan crowd and tough challenge from the world’s top ranked player to win the Swiss Indoors Basel title on Sunday to clinch his fourth title of the season.
Del Potro already assured himself a place at the elite ATP World Tour Finals in London but that did not mean he had to slack off in the next few weeks. That proved to be the case on Sunday after he defeated five-time Basel winner Roger Federer 6-4, 6-7, 7-6 in two hours and 45 minutes. Last week, the Argentine collected the Erste Bank Open title.
“It was an unbelievable final, the match was really close,” said del Potro.
Del Potro has suffered six consecutive defeats from Federer, including a heart-breaking loss at the London Olympics semifinals and a five-set defeat at the French Open.
“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 was to enjoy this title, then get ready to play in Paris and London,” he added.
The Argentine received €337,900 and earned 500 ranking points. Federer is seeking to win his 77th career title to tie with John McEnroe in 3rd for the all-time list in the Open Era.
The loss jeopardized Federer’s bid to end the season as world number one. He’s had a magnificent three title win streak at the end part of 2011 – sweeping the Basel, Paris Masters and ATP World Tour Finals. This won’t be the case this year, since Federer decided in the last minute to skip Paris and will rest this week instead and prepare for the London tourney.
