Reuters - Sun, 08 Nov 17:14:00 2009
World number one Roger Federer missed out on a fourth successive Swiss Indoors title when he lost to third-ranked Novak Djokovic in the final of his hometown tournament in Basel.
The Serbian won 6-4 4-6 6-2 to record his third win over Federer in five meetings this year.
The Swiss, who was once a ball boy at the tournament, was returning after a six-week mini-break following his US Open final defeat to Juan Martin del Potro.
Federer, who had not previously dropped a set or lost a service game in the tournament, had his serve broken four times as he lost a final for the third time this year following defeats at the Australian and US Open.
The match featured an extraordinary 10th game in the first set where Federer saved six set points and Djokovic five break points before the Serbian wrapped up the set at the seventh attempt.
"Today, I played by far my best match of this tournament. It came at the right time," said the 22-year-old after the match.
"I tried to stop him from taking control of the match because when he does, he's the best in the world and he can end the match very quickly," Djokovic added.
"I tried to be patient, have good tactics and put pressure on him and make him play an extra shot."
Federer said: "No doubt, it's disappointing to lose in the final at home."
"I missed plenty of opportunities, I was always down in the score. Each time I swung the momentum my way, I got broken again. If I had played a bit better on the attack, then it could have made a difference. It was a close match."
Both players rattled off their first four service games easily before Federer was broken in the ninth.
The 10th game took 24 minutes as both players made mistakes at crucial moments.
Federer sent a flurry of shots into the net while Djokovic repeatedly overhit his drives when presented with the chance to wrap up the set.
Federer eventually obliged for him with a misplaced pass as he faced set point for the seventh time.
The Swiss started the second set by having his serve broken again before enjoying his best spell of the match.
He broke back in the fourth game with an exquisite drop shot from the baseline, which brought the house down, and again in the 10th to wrap up the second set, helped by a double fault from Djokovic.
Federer lost serve twice in a row at the start of the third set and frittered away his last chance when he squandered three break points in succession in the sixth game.
Djokovic finished off the match at the first attempt when Federer sent an attempted drive high into the air.
Comment 74 - 93 of 93
well done Nole:)
Bloody hell what has poor Novak done to deserve such antagonism? He's a really nice bloke and it's silly to thumbs down people who congratulate him. If Roger had won, I would have congratuated him - but he didn't. No big deal. And no need to be childish, after all Mr Fed has won quite a few tournaments hasn't he?? (Just a few!!!!!).
thanks Nicholas :-)
.. why 20 negative votes ? read post #36..
Lol Igor, I posted No 12 and got over 20 negatives what did I say? Was there a spelling mistake?
Igor I'm a big Murray fan as you know, but having Djokovic back playing great tennis again makes such a difference I must say. We are all very lucky! ;)
Djokovic is simply the best
Joker is also not joking ajpbolton ;-)
well Nicholas, I already wrote this on Murray’s page:
"Murray and Djokovic are the future of tennis, some like it or not"…
… but in which order No1. and No 2.. time will tell ;-)
I can say for Novak, that he is definitely number two after AO, cause I don’t see potential from Nadal currently to defend the title, sad for his fans, and I admire his game, but I think he can’t.
Milos surely you mean
Well done Novak, well done Murray Next year No.2 & No.1 ;)
What say you Igor?
Well, Ray V - you've got two out of three, actually - the win and the medical timeout.
That Federer lost his focus on winning a fourth successive title in his hometown tournament because of Djokovic being on the other side is, on the other hand, fairly gratuitous on your part. Oh, and it's 'lose' and not 'loose'.
thanks igor k! i wasn't joking though.
ha ha ha ajpbolton you are so funny man :-)
how many injury time outs for the cheat today then?
Did Djokovic deserved the win?
Yes(thumbs up)
No(thumbs down)
.. and Ray, we all know what you are writing about Nole for a long time..
At least, you coud congratulate him.
I hope one day you will learn..
True that match was not on very high level - both were making lots of mistakes. Federer made more, and that maybe decided the match. But take this in mind: Novak always had a game plan to defeat Federer, he is tactically playing well, with deep balls, and making the Roger run more from side to side, which is forcing good part of his errors. But Novak sometimes does not have stability to fulfill this plan. Sometimes he’s playing to soft, letting the initiative to Fed, who then takes this "gift" with both hands.
But not this time ! what Novak showed on this tournament is that he is grown up person, stabile, he acted very calmed and determent in hard situation.. didn’t lose the nerve, didn’t brake the rackets ;-) I’m very pleased with the whole picture - I see again the player who aiming to the real top, one day.
Federer didn’t look very good yesterday, and through the whole tournament.. looked like “I’m to old for this @#$%” ;-)
but I learned that never he is to be underestimated, And I’m sure he has still lot more to show of his magic ! maybe outcome of this match could be different if he maybe didn’t felt the pressure of home ground, I think he did.. this was disadvantage, not a boost this time.
Anyway very good work Nole.. , great achievement :-)
Well done Novak,well done Murray.Next year No.1 & No 2.
Well done Novak,well done Murray.Next year No.1 & No 2.
What a refreshing change! x
My wasn't Fed v Djok match televised. i dont watch murray's matches as they are so bias in the commentry. i would love to being british, but it must be fair commentary. over the years i tend not to watch any british players matches including Tim Henman. i would have loved to see Fed v Djok though. If you could have non bias commentary then i would once again watch the british players.
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