• ATP Tour

Del Potro rips up script by outlasting Federer

ESPN staff
October 28, 2012
Juan Martin Del Potro denied Roger Federer a sixth Basel title © Getty Images
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Juan Martin Del Potro beat Roger Federer for the first time since 2009 to take the Swiss Indoors title in Basel.

Federer was denied a sixth triumph at his home event as Del Potro prevailed 6-4 6-7(5) 7-6(3) in two hours and 44 minutes on court.

The victory means world No. 8 Del Potro has now taken four ATP Tour titles in 2012, equalling his best haul in a calendar year ahead of the Paris Masters and ATP World Tour Finals.

He was near-faultless in a high-quality first set, landing the decisive blow with a break - the only one of the match - in the fifth game.

But he was unable to sustain that level, and Federer took control of the second frame. He belatedly made his superiority count with by taking a point against the serve in the tiebreak, which helped him level up at one set each.

While the momentum remained with Federer throughout the third, he was unable to take his chances as Del Potro, forced against the ropes on more than one occasion, displayed his battling qualities.

A brilliant inside-out forehand in the tiebreak handed Del Potro three match points, and he converted to get his hands on a 13th ATP Tour title, sealed with only his third triumph over Federer in 16 attempts.

Meanwhile, David Ferrer won the Valencia Open for the third time after a 6-1 3-6 6-4 victory over Alexandr Dolgopolov.

The top seed saved two break points at a critical moment in the third set and made a decisive late break to clinch his sixth title of the season.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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