Basel final preview and pick: Federer vs. Goffin

Something will have to give when Roger Federer and David Goffin battle for the Basel title on Sunday. The Swiss fans are hoping that it is Goffin’s incredible hot streak that comes to an end, which would mean a sixth triumph for Federer at this event.

Roger Federer and David Goffin will be squaring off for the second time in their careers when they collide in the final of the Swiss Indoors Basel on Sunday afternoon. Their only previous encounter came at the 2012 French Open, where Federer ended Goffin’s remarkable run as a lucky loser with a 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 victory in the fourth round.

Two years later, Goffin is establishing himself as a household name and perhaps as one of the streakiest players in tennis. After a relative slump in 2013 (in part due to injury), the 23-year-old Belgian has been positively on fire since Wimbledon. He has won 43 of his last 45 matches while capturing the first two ATP titles of his career–including one on indoor hard courts in Metz earlier this fall. Goffin earned his place in this showdown by taking out Dominic Thiem, Ivan Dodig, Milos Raonic, and Borna Coric.

Like his opponent, Federer is bringing a ton of confidence with him into the final. Not only did the 33-year-old Swiss recently triumph at the Shanghai Masters, but he also boasts an incredible record in Basel. This is Federer’s ninth consecutive title match and he is hoping to lift the winner’s trophy for the sixth time. Although his week has been far from routine, the world No. 2 has managed to get the job done against Gilles Muller, Denis Istomin, Grigor Dimitrov, and Ivo Karlovic.

“I never thought I would be this successful at this tournament,” Federer admitted after beating Karlovic. “I’m hoping to enjoy the final and that the crowd will be as good as it was today. It would mean the world to me to win in Basel. It’s going to be an exciting but a tough match.”

“It’s in his hometown so it will be a great atmosphere,” said Goffin. “The crowd may be for him but I have nothing to lose.”

Except for the match, of course. Look for something similar to that of their French Open meeting to transpire on Sunday. Goffin is playing well enough and takes the ball early enough to disrupt Federer’s timing, but it will difficult for the underdog to maintain composure in such a big match and with his tennis idol on the other side of the net.

Pick: Federer in 2 losing more than 8 games

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