Last year, a shocked public watched as Novak Djokovic stopped Roger Federer from taking his fourth consecutive trophy at the Swiss Indoors Basel. With the U.S. Open debacle also fresh on his mind, Federer had no lack of incentives to want to payback Djokovic. Federer avenged both losses, downing defending champion Djokovic 6-4,3-6,6-1 to become the first player to triumph four times at the 40 year old tournament.
After opening up the match with a forehand return winner, Federer manufactured double break point. However, due to errors, Federer could not capitalize. Then, with a backhand down the line pass, Djokovic fabricated break point. With a good serve, Federer managed the situation. Subsequent to dismissing another break point, Federer found the equalizer for 1 all. By sending a backhand long, Djokovic allowed a game point to vanish. Later, by misdirecting a backhand crosscourt, Djokovic gave Federer another chance to break. On that occasion, Federer thumped a forehand thereby provoking the error from Djokovic for the break at 2-1. Next, with a love game, Federer consolidated for 3-1. On the heels of a pressure service game, Federer connected with an ace for a love hold and extended his lead to 5-3. Serving for the set at 5-4, Federer misfired with a forehand up the line to hand Djokovic a break point. Fortunately for Federer, on a neutral ball after a second serve, Djokovic committed a forehand miscue for deuce. Eventually by forcing a couple of mistakes, Federer bagged the first set.
Following a prompt hold by Djokovic, Federer made two straight flubs to give his opponent double break point. With Federer’s backhand crosscourt landing wide, Djokovic secured the break. Then, with his second love game of the set, Djokovic stretched his lead to 3-0. Despite guarding serve easily the rest of the way, Federer produced too many mistakes. As such, Djokovic had no trouble extending his advantage to 5-2. Yet, in closing out the set, Djokovic pushed a forehand long, donating a break point to his rival. But, Djokovic came up with a tremendous serve and got to deuce. Ultimately, Djokovic wrapped up the game to drive the championship into a decisive set.
