Roger Federer defeated long-time rival Rafael Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 on Sunday to win his seventh title at the Swiss Indoors as he played the home final for a record tenth consecutive year
Switzerland's Roger Federer raises his trophy as he celebrates his victory against Spain's Rafael Nadal after their final match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament
Basel: Roger Federer defeated long-time rival Rafael Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 on Sunday to win his seventh title at the Swiss Indoors as he played the home final for a record tenth consecutive year.
Switzerland's Roger Federer raises his trophy as he celebrates his victory against Spain's Rafael Nadal after their final match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament. Pic/AFP
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Federer and Nadal last met in an Australian Open semi-final nearly two years ago and played their last final in Rome in 2013, both of which Nadal won. The 34-year-old Swiss, World No 2 behind Novak Djokovic, claimed the 88th title of his career.
The Basel trophy was his sixth of the season as he polished his record to 58-9. Federer's victory was his 11th against Nadal, who has won 23 of their meetings.
Victory in two hours in front of a charged-up crowd at the St Jakobshalle gave Federer his first victory over Nadal since his 2012 triumph in the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Masters, ending a five-match winning streak by the Spaniard.
Nadal had won 14 of their previous finals, with Federer claiming six. But the Swiss improved to 5-1 against Nadal on indoor surfaces.