Spletom neodložnih obaveza, nisam gledao ovaj meč, baš kao ni finale Halea. Međutim, ovog puta ta analogija se nije ponovila, pa je Huan Martin del Potro odbranio titulu u Bazelu. Federer je u, po svim ocjenama, meču turinira poražen nakon 2h 22min borbe sa 6:7 (3:7), 6:2, 4:6 i pehar Bazela će otići za Tandil. Prvi set je počeo diominacijom servera, koji su bez problema uzeli 7 početnih gemova, a onda je Delpo u osmom uz uspješno koketiranje s mrežom uspio da napravi brejk i povede sa 5-3. A onda? Fatazija iz teniskog reketa Švajcarca i vraćen brejk sa nulom. Delpo je na 5-4 imao 2 vezane set lopte, Maestro je odgovorio sa 4 vinera i ušlo se u tb. U njemu je Delpo slavio (uz još srećnog flerta sa mrežom) i Federer nije nagrađen vođstvom za igru u prvom setu. To međutim nije puno uticalo na Švajcarca. Drugi set je po mnogima najbolji njegov set još od Vimbldona '12. U njemu je izgubio samo 4 poena na svoj servis, 2 puta brejknuo Gaučosa i treći odlučujući set bio je neminovnost. Tada se i desio taj kobni prvi gem, kada je Rodžer ispustio 2 gem lopte, spasio brejk loptu, a onda duplom servis greškom poklonio brejk Argentincu. Pokušao je odmah u narednom da uzvrati, ali ni 2 brejk lopte nisu bile dovoljne. Nakon toga Delpo je postao izuzetno siguran na svoj servis i mogućnost brejka bila je minimalna. Na kraju u ukupnpom skoru bilo je 96-96 u osvojenim poenima, ali jedan igrač je morao da pobijedi. Ovim porazom skor Federera u finalima Bazela opada na 5-5, a skor protiv Delpa na 13-5.







Federer:
“It was a pretty high level match overall,” said Federer. “Probably my best match of the tournament overall, but it is always difficult to judge when you lose.
“I did hand the break over to him too easily in the third set, but overall I did well today. I could have maybe won the first set, but in the second set I was getting better and better. It is a pity that I couldn’t have been tougher in the third. He did really well to serve it out. The last few of his service games were very solid. I was happy that after a lot of tough matches, I was able to withstand the challenge physically. The atmosphere was amazing. I really appreciate the crowd support.”
Delpo:
“Normally I feel like him, because I lost in the [London 2012] Olympics and other important matches against him," said del Potro. "Luck was on my side today and I played better at the end of the match.
“I think Roger is playing well. He played much better when he has the chance to play the top guys. His game improves automatically and looking forward to Paris and London he will be a tough opponent. For me he has the perfect game… and he is a big inspiration. I am very proud to have a good relationship with him, as I have learned a lot as a person and a tennis player."
Kako ne pomenuti za kraj i fantastičnu izvedbu bazelske publike. 9.200 gledalaca bilo je uz Rodžera u Sent Jakobs Hali sve vrijeme trajanja turnira. Finale, atmosfera, navijanje... Sve je bilo savršeno... pa skoro savršeno, jer nije stigla titula. To, međutim nije omelo Švajcarce da pozdrave Rodžera jednim nevjerovatnim
standing ovations. Ja lično ne pamtim da sam neke duže vidio koliko pratim ovaj sport. Uživajte!
A Rodžer se rodnom gradu na podršci zahvalio i na twitteru:
Roger Federer @rogerfederer
Dangge Basel, Ich hör dr applaus immer no, unglaublichi wuche gsi. Ich wirds nie vergesse!
