Juan Martin Del Potro is one win away from temporarily putting himself in a World Tour Finals spot, but Roger Federer is standing in his way in Sunday’s Basel final. The Vienna title match is an all-French affair between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Lucas Pouille.
(1) Roger Federer vs. (4) Juan Martin Del Potro
Federer and Del Potro will be facing each other for the 24th time in their careers and for the fourth time at this tournament when they battle for the Swiss Indoors Basel title on Sunday. The head-to-head series stands at 17-6 in Federer’s favor, but Del Potro is 2-1 in Basel–including 2-0 in finals. Del Potro triumphed 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(3) in 2012 and 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-4 in 2013, while Federer prevailed 6-1, 6-4 during second-round action back in 2007. These two veterans most recently squared off in the Shanghai semis, with the Swiss getting the job done 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Del Potro could really use another victory in this one; in fact, an upset would propel him to an improbable spot in the World Tour Finals (with next week’s Paris Masters still pending). The 19th-ranked Argentine captured the Stockholm title last week and has advanced in Basel with victories over Joao Sousa, Julien Benneteau, Roberto Bautista Agut, and Marin Cilic. Federer is aiming for his eighth title at this event following defeats of Frances Tiafoe, Benoit Paire, Adrian Mannarino (in three sets), and David Goffin. The world No. 2 is 48-4 in 2017 and should be able to outlast what has to be a fatigued opponent.
Pick: Federer in 3
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(8) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Lucas Pouille
Not too much unlike Del Potro, Tsonga needs a title on Sunday to be in serious World Tour Finals contention unless he plans on making a big run in Paris. The 15th-ranked Frenchman is also coming off a title-winning performance last week (Antwerp) and has advanced at the Erste Bank Open by taking out Karen Khachanov, Damir Dzumhur, Alexander Zverev, and Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Up next for Tsonga is a third career showdown against Pouille, who has lost both of their previous encounters (6-4, 6-4 last year in Monte-Carlo and by the exact same scoreline earlier this season in the Marseille final). Pouille has slumped for the most part through the second half of 2017, but he at least managed to reach round four at the U.S. Open. So far this week he has defeated Sebastian Ofner, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, Richard Gasquet, and Kyle Edmund. A significant edge in current form goes to Tsonga, and Pouille played almost three and a half hours of tennis on Saturday–singles and doubles combined.
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Tsonga and Fed in two
Tsonga in 3 and Delpo in 2 or 3. His wrist is better than in Shanghai and Fed’s not been that sharp and he’s been inconsistent.
You wished, of course… Fed in 2, fairly easy win. He is on another level.
Federer in one.
Tsonga in 3. Fed in 2
Only Delpo has what it takes to challenge Federer nowadays. Even Djokovic and Nadal at their very best will be no match to this injury free 2017 version of Roger. Federer will be stretched in this one as Delpo has serious power and can trouble Roger. But Federer should win in the end as he is the better and more complete player, and the GOAT http://www.138mph.com/basel-special-roger-federer-versus-juan-martin-del-potro/
I doubt a fit and top form Djoko is no match for this Fed! Djoko is the best on HCs, he’s the king of the HCs;it’s Fed who is no match for top form Djoko on the HCs I feel.
Rafa is Fed’s kryptonite on clay; Delpo is Fed’s kryptonite at Basel, and Djoko is Fed’s kryptonite at anywhere else except Cincy, and Shanghai maybe.
Oh Delpo is also Fed’s kryptonite at the USO too, I almost forget.
I’m glad Rafa has redeemed himself from the USO 2009 Delpo who defeated him 62 62 62 when Rafa had a torn stomach muscle, by beating Delpo at the USO this year, even giving Delpo a bagel, because the commies loved talking about it.
Luckystar,about clay? I think Novak is not better on clay than Roger. Not exactly at this point in their careers, but generally speaking.
Eugene, read again, I said ‘anywhere else’.
I got it now. You meant anywhere else except clay, Basel, Cinci and maybe Shanghai 🙂
A top form Djokovic of 2014/15 was defeated many a times by Fed who was not in his top form in those years, but now the time has changed Fed is in his top form. If they battle now Djokovic will lose badly.
Delpo will be thrashed today and will lose his kryptonite status at Basel.
Hello, many a times? Not at Wimbledon, not at AO and USO or even WTF? Where it mattered, Djoko never failed to beat Fed!
Fed wasn’t off form during 2014/2015, unlike Djoko is now. You’re comparing a top form Fed with a off form Djoko?
In 2012 fed defeated djoko at wimby, in 2015 he defeated him at wtf rr and in 2011 he held match points at USO. Fed was never far away from djoko even at djoko’s best years.
Never far but still losing the big battles so what’s the point?
Mostly mental choking from Fed in those slam losses to Novak, especially in 2015, when he was the better player going into both USO and (especially) wimby finals. The six months rest did Roger good last year, but beating Nadal at AO lifted a huge mental burden and has allowed him to play more freely (when his back is ok).
Best player, I wished you were right. I think Roger will win today. But I am not sure he can easily win against Djokovic. Novak had a good recovery and rest. He might step in very strongly, although it might not happen at AO yet. He’s much younger. Fed should retire actually soon. I don’t wanna see him being beat up too often. But he’s smart. I’m sure he’ll take the best decision.
I think Fed will beat Delpo today.
Delpo was looking pretty exhausted in the SF and Fed has the uncanny knack of peaking for a final.
BTW The confusion between Argentine and Argentinian continues to rage 🙂
What ever happens it’s gotta be better than the Tsonga Pouille match -Tsonga simply imploded.
I really don’t understand all these players, why are they hitting to Fed’s BH all the time? Don’t they at least update themselves about Fed’s game?
Fed’s BH now is even more solid than his FH, especially when he’s forced to hit a running FH. Fed now has the tendency to camp at his BH corner so it pays to hit to his FH and moves him around as he’s not as quick as before in covering his FH corner.
DelPo is little lucky . Fed gave him the break back. But DelPo playing better than yesterday. I am sure noone wants to see DelPo in WTF.
I’d love to see Delpo in the WTF! Wouldn’t even mind if he won the thing, and I’m a HUGE Rafa fan! But Delpo is a great player, big shots, lots of heart and has had seriously bad luck with injuries and recoveries.
Did you see Fed FH in last game ? Literally won the game with passing shots.
BH wasn’t better than the FH today!
So happy that Delpo could provide a stern test for Fed on the HCs when the peak form Djoko isn’t around. At least their matches are not lopsided.
He has won the first set. Very similar to USO third set although Fed did not have set points. I think DelPo is certainly a great player and huge reserves of stamina. This is his 4th straight week of tennis.
I dont think after a hard fought final like this Fed is playing Bercy. I wanted Fed to be there , wanted to check how he responds playing back to back weeks.
I too think he will withdraw from Bercy as this match will go 2.5 hours which is long for a 3 setter from Fed. Usually he wraps all within 1 hr 45 mns 🙂
So Delpo wins the first set! It’s never easy for Fed to beat Delpo on the HCs; each match is a hard fought one.
Fed is not losing now !! But I doubt after this match , he would play Paris Masters. I doubt that for DelPo as well.
If DelPo loses and loses early he is out of WTF . Right ?
Great quality in this match. Awesome play from both. And how bout Pouille dismantling Tsonga!! Ok Lucas I see you 👀
Looks like TMF has rescued the fat from the fire .
Congrats Roger and Federer fans. Well played.
Now to the key decision – will he play Paris or not 🙂
He cant win it so he won’t play.
why cant he win it? He has not played much this year anyway..just some 45 matches right
Its been a tough final physically, longer than usual . I dont think he will take chance , especially after Montreal.
I dont think even DelPo will go too far in Bercy.
anyways we will know in few hours..when is the last cut off to withdraw?
He can but it won’t be easy.
Lucky called this match correctly. Well done!
And TMF adds some more records for the history books. Chapeau to him.
Woohoo!! I don’t think it would be very wise of him to play Paris but he might in attempt to snatch year end number one. Still doubt he will though. He said his main goal was the world tour finals anyways.
Its a 50-50. I still think year end no 1 means a lot to him 🙂 He may make a push for it. Except the final, Basel was not hectic..even Shanghai only semi was hectic..rest all were straights
Year end means a lot but he could struggle in WTF, if he plays Bercy. It might turn out to be opposite that he even does not play well in WTF and does not win Bercy as well.
So, he wont play.
He has already given a hint in post match that its difficult for him to play back to back weeks like DelPo. I highly doubt he will play.
Fed is usually straightforward and he would stck to his plan to concentrate on WTF.
where did he say it? I missed that..what exactly did he say
In Ceremony distribution, he said he would like to emulate who has playing great tennis in consecutive weekks
emulate DelPo I meant.
Anyone who thinks federer won’t play Bercy be bat shite cray 😜! Especially given his “random” draw.
#FedWillWin
#TennisHasA_______Problem
#ShoeBeOnTheOtherFoot
#WhatComesAroundGoesAround
he won’t play.
#WillingToBet
I saw the final and it was a good one. Fed hung in there and found the answers. Delpo was looking really good for s while there. Some great shotmaking and rallies from both guys.
Fed came in strong in the third set and that was it.
I do think Fed wants year end #1 as well as WTF. He wants to secure his legacy. Now we have to wait and see if he will play in Paris.
he was fresher for the 3rd set vs DElpo who has played lot of matches back to back..
“All the best in Paris and hopefully see you in London.” – Federer speaking the feelings of many
so, looks like h is not going to Paris.
Withdrawal news is official on twitter. He is not going to Paris.
can you post the tweet 🙂
Well it showed in that third set. Up until then I thought Delpo had a good chance to win the way he was playing.
Fed just took control after being broken in his first service game. I though fatigue might catch up with Delpo.
I think there are few posters with whom you never want to mess.
#BecauseTheyAreAlwaysWrong
#LivedAllTheirLifeInACloset
#NeverFightWithAPig
I feel right petic justice thing would be for both Fed & Rafa to win 7 titles each..but looks tough for Rafa..Fed may end up as year title leader …
Also I wish they get joint player of the year award. Would be nice to see that.
I feel right poetic justice thing would be for both Fed & Rafa to win 7 titles each..but looks tough for Rafa..Fed may end up as year title leader …
Also I wish they get joint player of the year award. Would be nice to see that.