Roger Federer bows out to Juan Martin Del Potro in title-round – Swiss Indoors 2012
World number one, Roger Federer, was edged out by the second seed, Juan Martin Del Potro, in gruelling three sets at the Swiss Indoors 2012 on Sunday. He suffered a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-7(3) shock at the hands of the Argentinean top ranked star in the final showdown at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 500 Series event held in Basel, Switzerland.
Seeded top in this event, Federer managed to get back in game after pulling out the equaliser. However, he was underplayed in the final set tie-breaker, eventually losing at his home soil.
The 31-year-old stated in a press conference after losing the finals:
"I thought overall I played pretty good. He got off to a bit of a better start, but it was close. He served well at the beginning, which made him the better player in the first set. The second set was close. He didn’t play a very good tie-break and then I had my chances early on in the third. I couldn’t break, despite doing the right things, but then I didn’t play a good tie-break myself.
On the other hand, Del Potro recording his first victory over the Basel native in his seventh outing this circuit. After stealing the show in two hours and 44 minutes, the Argentine lowered trail in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head Series by 3-13 against Federer.
"He has been playing really well this season. I have played him seven times. Every time, I can see he is extremely tough,” Federer reflected.
The Olympic bronze medallist, Del Potro assertively entered St. Jakobshalle. He swiftly swiped his entire serves without encountering any barrier. Del Potro got the breakthrough in the fifth game after cashing lone break opportunity and clicked the opener with a 6-4 win.
Federer re-focused in the following set. He brushed off the lone breakpoint he came across and held all of his serves with poise. The Swiss squandered his only break chance but dominated in the tie-breaker, eventually sealing the equaliser with a 7-6(5) success.
The 17-time Grand Slam titlist maintained consistency in his game in the following set. He slid his entire serves without facing any breakpoint. Federer wasted all four break opportunities but stayed focused and took the set to the tie-breaker.
However, the Swiss Maestro lost his path in it and eventually failed to capture his seventh year-to-date title.
On the other end, the world number eight grabbed a cheque of €337,900 in prize money and received 500 South African Airways ATP Ranking Points.
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