Davidoff Swiss Indoors Basel—Switzerland

No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic capped off a resilient week of tennis in Basel, defeating No. 1 ranked Roger Federer in the finals of Davidoff Swiss Indoors on Sunday, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

Djokovic, who improved to 4-9 in Tour finals this season, showed tremendous heart in ousting the three-time defending champion.

After breaking Federer in the ninth game of the opening set, via a forehand unforced error, Djokovic, who won 68 percent of his first serve points, saved all five of the break points chances against his delivery. 

Djokovic continued his drive to finish off Federer in straight sets. The Serb immediately obtained a 2-0 lead in the second set, only to find himself in the predicament a facing a rejuvenated Federer. 

The Swiss, who had the entire stadium behind his comeback, broke Djokovic in the third, and ninth games of the set. Djokovic, who saved his first two sets points with a backhand crosscourt winner and then an unreturned serve, netted a forehand at 30-40 to level the match at a set a piece. 

With Federer exhaling a scream of relief at the end of second set, it appeared all but certain that the remainder of the encounter would be played down-to-wire.

However, as Federer has shown on a few occasions this season, his ability to grind out tough matches has been in question.

Djokovic, who had experienced two comeback victories over Stan Wawrinka and Radek Stepanek in previous rounds this week, was adamant on remaining clam and aggressive throughout the earlier stages of set three. 

Gaining an immediate brake of serve to begin the third set, Djokovic utilized his backhand to great effect, hitting both slice a drop shots of his predominant two-handed wing. 

The Serb also took risky, but productive chances in his return games, constantly striking Federer's serve up-the-line on both the deuce and advantage sides.

Federer, who appeared mentally fatigued in his efforts to counterattack the spirit of his opponent, mishit a final backhand on Djokovic's first championship point, handing the world No. 3 the 15th title of his young career. 

Federer, who was bidding to capture his 62nd career title, remains three shy of Pete Sampras' 64 career tournament victories.

The Swiss reflected on his missed opportunities during his post match presser. 

“I missed plenty of opportunities, I was always down in the score," Federer said. "Each time I swung the momentum my way, I got broken again. If I had played a bit better on the attack, then it could have made a difference. It was a close match.”

“No doubt, it’s disappointing to lose in the final at home," Federer said.

Federer, who fell to 3-1 in Basel finals, will now head to the Paris Masters 1000 in France, competing as the top seed in the event. Federer will face either Julien Benneteau or Philipp Petzschner in second round aciton.

Djokovic, who was debuting in Basel this year, shared his strategy with the media after improving his head-to-head deficit with Federer to 9-5.

“I tried to stop him from taking control of the match because when he does, he’s the best in the world and he can end the match very quickly,” Djokovic told reporters.

“I tried to be patient, have good tactics and put pressure on him and make him play an extra shot.”

Djokovic, who will be seeded No. 3 in Paris next week, claimed €291,700 in prize money, while increasing his Tour-leading match record to 71-18.

Djokovic will face either Jeremy Chardy or Juan Monaco in the second round action of the upcoming French event.

Federer, who will be returning to Paris for the first time as the French Open champion, spoke about the crowd support he hopes to receive.

“We have some exciting weeks ahead of us, for all the players," Federer said.  "I won Roland Garros in the summer and now I return to Paris.  Of course having won Wimbledon, I will return to London.  It will be interesting to see how the crowds will be, as I have never gone back to Paris as the Roland Garros champion.  I am feeling well and mentally fresh.  I am in the mood to do well there."

Both Federer and Djokovic have already clinched finals berths in the Barclays ATP World Tour finals, which will take place at the O2 Arena in London.

 

Valencia Open 500—Spain

Top seed Andy Murray captured his sixth title of the season of Sunday, defeated an under matched Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-2 in the finals of Valencia Open 500.

The straight forward, straight set win by the Scot consistent of stellar serving and brilliant tacitical play from the baseline.

Murray, who won 100 percent of his first serve points in the first set (14-14), converted on two of three break point opportunities to capture a one set lead in less than a half-hour.

Murray's baseline approach to the contest was quite interesting, with the top seed using a great number of off speed shots against his Russian opponent.

Youzhny, who relishes the opportunity of feeding off his opponent's power, was left vulnerable when forced to initiate the power quotient in a majority of the baseline exchanges, a position which the Russian was truly uncomfortable.

Murray, who continued his winning formula in the second set, broke Youzhny to lead 1-0, braking yet again to gain an insurmountable 3-0 lead.

Murray's routine holds of serve throughout the second set allowed him to open up his shoulders on his return games. Youzhny, who won a disastrous 23 percent of his second serve points (3-13), was broken on four of five occasions, while not producing a single ace throughout the one hour and eight minute contest.

With the loss, Youzhny fell to 42-28 on the season, falling to 1-4 in Tour-level finals. The Russian, who has made three finals in the past month on Tour, won in his native Moscow, Russia, while losing the Japan Open final in Asia. The defeat also marked the final match of Youzhny's season.

Due to his ranking not being high enough when the cut off for next weeks Paris Masters 1000 was determined, Youzhny's will not take part in the season's final tournament.

Youzhny, who is currently ranked No. 23 in the world, will likely finish the year in the top 20 when the rankings are released on Monday.

Murray, who improved to 63-9 on the season, captured his 14th career title on Sunday, while taking home € 323,000 in prize money.

Murray's comprehensive victory brushed aside any doubt that his ailing left wrist injury remains a concern.

The Scot will now attempt to carries his winning ways to the Paris Masters 1000 event in France next week.

Murray spoke about his level of play after defeating his Russian opponent.

“I’d say it was a little easier than I had expected, but he is a tough player,” Murray said. “I didn’t have high expectations this week, but with every round and match you get more confident. It is very rare for someone to win a tournament after a long break.”

Murray, who captured 500 ATP World Tour points for his victory on Sunday, faces American James Blake in second round action in Paris. Blake defeated Fabrice Santoro 6-4, 6-3 in first round action on Sunday.

At this stage of the season, Murray appears a prime contender to capture the Barclays ATP World Tour title in his native London in two weeks time.

With only two weeks of tennis remaining on the Tour calender, please check back shortly for upcoming daily coverage from the Paris Masters 1000 event in France next week.