Swiss Tennis Star Roger Federer Triumphs In Basel • Leaves Del Potro With Work To Do For Nitto ATP World Tour Finals Berth

Switzerland’s Roger Federer kisses the trophy during the award ceremony after the final between Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday, October 29, 2017. EPA-EFE/GEORGIOS KEFALAS

 

 

Federer triumphs in Basel, leaves Del Potro with work to do for World Tour Finals berth

 

By Ricky Dimon

 

The third time was the charm for Roger Federer. Having previously lost to Juan Martin Del Potro in a pair of finals at the Swiss Indoors Basel, Federer battled back from several deficits to prevail 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 in the title match on Sunday afternoon. The 36-year-old trailed by a set and by a break early in the third but ended up getting the job done in two hours and 31 minutes.

 

“I think we’re both tired from a long season,” Federer commented. “Plus he’s been playing four straight weeks now, very successful, so we tried to give it all we had. The crowd really enjoyed themselves and at the end there is always going to be a winner unfortunately in tennis. But I think we both can be very happy with the week.”

 

Del Potro was aiming for a second title in as many weeks, having lifted the Stockholm trophy the previous Sunday. He twice recovered from a break down in the opening set against Federer before taking it in a tiebreaker. But the 19th-ranked Argentine missed few golden opportunities in the second set and could not consolidate an immediate break in the third.

 

Unsurprisingly, Del Potro gave all the credit to his opponent.

 

“You’ve been playing great tennis this year,” he told Federer during the trophy ceremony. “You are in fantastic shape; it’s unbelievable. I would love to be at your age in the same form, but I don’t think so.””

 

“You’ve been on a great run since the U.S. Open and before (it), so I’m very happy to see you playing so well again and being able to play every week,” Federer told the runner-up. “That’s something I would like to be able to do again. All the best for Paris and then I’ll hopefully maybe see you in London, too.”

 

Del Potro is now 190 points behind Pablo Carreno Busta for the No. 8 spot in the World Tour Finals heading into the Paris Masters. The 2009 U.S. Open champion must reach at least the semifinals in order to have a chance.

 

Meanwhile, Federer all but conceded the year-end No. 1 ranking to Rafael Nadal by withdrawing from Paris following Sunday’s Basel final.

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.

 

Editors Note: Amazing Efforts by Roger this week. Between all of his personal obligations off court he was there for his buddy and countryman for is last match. He was there to sign calendars with his dad. He was there to pass out the Ballkids medals and eat pizza with them. Sometimes I think 2017 needed 12 ROGERS. One to win slams and tourneys, one to be a great husband and dad and son and family man, one to be there for his Roger Federer Foundation & other charity work and exhibitions. One to keep all his sponsors happy…. ROLEX and Nike and Wilson and MERCEDES and… Lindt…

All we know is Roger is playing at an amazing level. Oh yeah another Roger the RF that came up with the LAVER CUP concept and already pulled off the first event. Bravo again maestro. It was a great finals. RF had lost in the Basel finals to JUAN Martin in 2012, 2013. So this was close. In winning Roger is now behind Jimmy Connors in total tourneys one. Jimmy has 109 • Roger now has 95 • Lendl has 94 • John Mac has 77 • Rafa has 75

It’s also ROGERS eight time to win his home tourney. From Ballboy to a humble Living Legend. Actually…

The Greatest Of All Time.

Truly the GOAT (LJ)