Recap of the fiercest battles of 2012: Federer vs. Del Potro – Swiss Indoors Basel
Ranked seventh in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Juan Martin Del Potro rallied past the local senior, Roger Federer, in the final round of the Swiss Indoors Basel at the hard courts St. Jakobshalle in Switzerland.
He consolidated his triumph 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(3) to claim the championship title.
In a post match interview, the Argentina qualifier told the media, “It was an unbelievable final. You have to go to (get) the victory. He was playing really at the limits, and that is the way to win these matches. It’s always a
pleasure to face him. Roger is really one of my best friends in the circuit. This time it was for me.”
Federer informed the media, “I didn't play a good tiebreaker in the third and that was the story of the match. I definitely think he is right there again. It's the only right decision for me right now. I had some niggling stuff
and I didn't want to take a chance.”
The 31-year-old participant secured a relatively better initial serve precision of 68 percent, thundering 18 aces. He converted just 57 of 75 first and 23 of 36 second serve. He majorly lost because he was unable to snatch away
even a single of five serve break opportunities bestowed on him. On the contrary, Del Potro showed 56 percent serve accuracy with just 10 aces and four double faults. He managed to bag away 54 of 62 first and 30 of 49 second serve points.
The duo faced each other several times in the past and the Swiss professional peacefully rests with a higher winning ratio. Federer nudged past Del Potro in the semi-finals of the London 2012 Olympics and penned down his victory
3-6, 7-6(5), 19-17 after a tough encounter. At French Open, the two players met each other in the quarter-finals. The higher ranked Federer skilfully made his way and after a hard five sets battled, celebrated his long awaited success.
24-year-old Del Potro is the first Argentinean contestant to secure the win in the Swiss Indoors after Guillermo Coria. However, this loss proved very disappointing for the Swiss player as it ended his two-year winning record and
the fourth defeat since 2000.
The right-hander, Del Potro, is amongst the top favourite contestants to secure a better rank in the upcoming 2012 tennis season. He snatched away his third singles title and a bronze medal in the London 2012 Olympics against the
world champion, Novak Djokovic.
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