del Potro Defends Basel Title With Another Win Over Federer
October 28, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal
Juan Martin del Potro successfully defended his Basel title on Sunday, defeating five-time former champion Roger Federer 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-4 in a rematch of last year's finals match. Del Potro improved to a 23-1 record at ATP World Tour 500 tournaments this season, and has already qualified for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Federer must defeat Kevin Anderson or Mikhail Youzhny in his second round match at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris on Wednesday to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
“It was similar in intensity, rallies and the emotion of the fans [to the 2012 final],” said del Potro. “The fans were cheering for him [Federer] a lot, but they also respected me. They made a fantastic atmosphere. I think we played the best match of the tournament today.”
Federer had been attempting to win six or more titles at his fourth different tournament. He has won six or more crowns at Wimbledon (seven), the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals (six) and the Gerry Weber Open in Halle (six).
