Roger Federer beats Fierce Rival to win 7th Basel title

Roger Federer has won the Swiss Indoors title in Basel for the seventh time in his career, defeating Rafael Nadal 6-3 5-7 6-3 this afternoon. Federer came under pressure in his first service game as Nadal tried to get an early lead, but the Swiss dug deep to save a break point.

At 2-2, the world number three brought up his first break point, with Nadal twice fighting back to deuce before succumbing to the pressure, handing Federer the lead in the set.

The Spaniard struggled in the last game of the set, with a double fault helping Federer bring up three set points, converting the first. Nadal hit back in the second set though, saving a break point early on before taking advantage of a rare off-game from his opponent, allowing him to serve it out and level the match.

The two players looked well matched at the start of the decider, with the first seven games going with serve, with Nadal facing just one break point. While 4-3 up, Federer managed to edge in front, firing a forehand down the line to bring up break point before pouncing on a slower serve from the Spaniard, allowing him to serve for the title in the next game.

Nadal saved the first match point to get the game back to deuce, but Federer had enough to bring up another match point straight away, seeing it out to beat the Spaniard for the first time since 2012.