AFP/Fabrice Coffriniview photoBASEL, Switzerland (AFP) - Novak Djokovic overcame Roger Federer on the world number one's home ground Sunday, carving out a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 victory to win the Swiss Indoors title.
It was a Basel debut to remember for the 22-year-old world number three as he turned the momentum in his direction in a 24-minute game of the opening set which featured five break points for Federer and required six set points for the Serb to take the early lead.
AFP/Fabrice Coffriniview photoFederer, the winner of the last three titles here, got back in harness in the second set through an early break on the way to levelling the final.
But when Djokovic got up a double break in the third, the Swiss top seed was unable to turn the tide.
"It's disappointing to lose a final at home," said Federer. "I tried hard, I was just outplayed.
"I was always down in the score and every time I got a momentum shift he would break me again. I could never get any momentum. Things did not go my way at all today.
"It was not like the 2007 US Open final (where he beat Djokovic). There I had more offense from the baseline and was able to dictate.
"But there are no excuses. Novak played tough and saved a ton of break points. I needed to play much better on attack."
It was Federer's first loss at home in Basel since the second round in 2003.
When he returned in 2006, he claimed three trophies in a row until Djokovic ended that run in a two-hour upset.
Djokovic won his fifth of 14 career matches the Swiss.
"I played the best match of the week when I really needed it," said Djokovic, playing in his first indoor final of the year and winner of a first indoor title since the Masters Cup in Shanghai last November.
"The form came at the right moment."
"Winning in Basel makes my success even more special. We all know how well Roger plays at home - he has won here three times. I'm extremely happy with how I approached the match and my strategy."
Federer and Djokovic will play the Paris Masters next week, the final event of the ATP regular season.
They have both already qualified for the season-ending World Tour Finals in London from November 22, where seven men will fight for two remaining spots in Paris.
Comment 1 - 15 of 15
Anyone heard of Ray V. after this match??!!!
Had a feeling Novak would win, always plays his best tennis in bo3 against fed, kinda like murray.. and we know how BAD he is in slams.
RF just needed one plate his got to many cups
Whether to abolish the "thumbs down"on Eurosport?
12-Oct-09 10:55 PM I think it should be! Why?
Because some use the opportunity to create more accounts and thus decide which content will be seen, and which do not! I think that it is not fair, and that something on this issue has to do.My suggestion is to not hide texts that have more "thumbs down", instead "thumbs up", but to simply see who has, perhaps more support and who not.And readers will conclude that it is correct or not.This prevents misuse of a few people that determines what can be seen on Eurosport, and what does not ! !
Dear real tennis fans,
please report abuse for this flooding with negative votes of every page with Novak Djokovic.
please be aware, this is not done from real Roger fans, or Rafa`s..
this is done by one or two persons with multiple account made only in purpose to hide other comments, or to provoke.
for months they are hiding brutally any comments of Novak fans.. no matter if they are just chirring, wishing good luck !
this flooding is happening in literarily ten minutes..
This is sick, and really un-fair ..so please make this stop !
In addition, thanks Boki for info about Zimo&Dany's victory, and also congratulations for that, too! This is how Serbia should be presented, both with good players, athletes, but what I saw while watching Nole were his manners. That's the way how we all should act when abroad, to respect the opponent, the audience, and to
stay ourselves, dignified and proud to be Serb. Great day for Serbia, no doubt about that!
Bravo Nole !!
This si tramendous achivment, this whole week !
we are soooo happy :))))
This was something we were looking for a long period of time, but the time came, this time for Nole. Well done job, strong nerves in many of breaking points, just when they were needed. Maybe this was the part of game when he outplayed RF!? Time will tell, anyway. Congratulations to both players for giving us a chance to
watch a really good tennis, full with twists and unexpected points and shots. One thing is for sure, Nole still has a lot of things to learn, practice, right from the player like RF. Hoping to seeing some of your new trophies, awaiting the following tournament, we are still your big fans and supporters. Go on playing like this,
and the result will come, perhaps sooner than you think! Once again, congratulations for your win!
DOUBLE BUBLE IN BASEL, Nole won, but also ZIKI & DANY won dobles, bit Bryan brothers, congrets to tham also. GREAT day for SERBIA.
That was real powerfull play from Novak, to beat Roger in front of his own crowd in his home town, that is huge achievement...Novak took RF serve 4 times with great returns....Go NOVAK, you are a true champion !!!!
That was real powerfull play from Novak, to beat Roger in front of his own crowd in his home town, that is huge achievement...Novak took RF serve 4 times with great returns....Go NOVAK, you are a true champion !!!!
Congratulation, Nole. Great match, as it was expected from this two great tennis players.
he spanked him
BRAVO MASTER NOLE, You deserved it, truly CHAMP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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