Del Potro Beats Federer in Basel Final

Juan Martin del Potro, unlucky six times against Roger Federer this year, made the seventh time count, beating Federer in three sets in the Basel final, 6-4, 6-7, 7-6.

Pressuring Federer with his flat forehand, Del Potro broke for 5-4 in the first set, and was able to serve out the set. Though he had more chances to break Federer in the second set, Federer was able to force a tiebreak and a third set. Staving off intense pressure on serve, there were no breaks in the final set. Del Potro capitalized on a couple sloppy points from the World No. 1 in the tiebreak, winning it 7-3.

“Playing against Roger is a pleasure. We know he’s the best player ever in this sport,” del Potro said after the match.

Federer said that del Potro deserved the win, and alluded to the tough losses del Potro had against him earlier in the year. Del Potro lost in five sets to Federer at the French Open, and at the Olympics in the longest three set match in the Open Era.

Del Potro’s ATP 500 title is the biggest title he’s won since the 2009 US Open. His five titles since then have all come at ATP 250 tournaments.