Roger Federer claimed an eighth Basel title with a come-from-behind victory over Juan Martin del Potro in Switzerland. Federer edged the in-form Argentine 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 to keep his chances of finishing as World No.1 alive.
The Argentine edged a tight first set on a tiebreak after fighting hard from multiple deficits to lead. Federer uncharacteristically was broken twice in a row immediately after breaking the del Potro serve. The Swiss, playing in front of a home crowd, struggled with his first serve delivery, at one point below 40% before finishing with a set average of just 43%.
The signs had looked good for the seven time champion when he broke for 6-5 with four outstanding forehands. Federer sat on the cross-court forehand from del Potro, and it allowed him to pass the net-rushing Argentine twice, before a scintillating down-the-line winner handed him the break.
Del Potro retrieved the break before Federer raced to a 3-0 lead in the tiebreak. The Swiss would then lose the next six points in the face of a barrage of del Potro shots. The Swiss saved the first two set points, but del Potro converted the first on his own serve to edge the set.
Federer had his first chances in game four of the second set, earning a break point. The World No.2 missed a put away volley before smacking the net in frustration. Del Potro would be the next with an opportunity, earning his own break point in the next game, but missed a rallying backhand into the net.
Federer would ultimately be the one to claim the single break of the second set, breaking as del Potro tried to take the set to 5-5.
The Argentine recovered to break Federer in the first game of the third set, with Federer missing a forehand into an open court, with the Swiss star furious in the aftermath. He calmed down to break back with a stunning forehand before sealing another break, leading 4-1.
Del Potro fought back to win his first game in four with an ace for 2-4, but Federer still retained the break. Del Potro forced 0-30 in the seventh game, but Federer held by drawing an error from the Argentine.
Federer retains the crown he won last year, his eighth in total in his home event. The win for Federer ensures that he remains very much in the race to finish as World No.1.
Del Potro moves above Sam Querrey in the race to qualify for London. The Argentine must better the result of Pablo Carreno Busta in Paris, and ensure that none of the chasing pack close the gap.
