Djokovic ends Roger's hometown reign

By Sports Network

Novak Djokovic ended Roger Federer's dominance at his hometown tournament with a three-set victory in the final of the Swiss Indoors.

The second-seeded Djokovic notched a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 triumph on Sunday for his fourth title of 2009, while also denying the Swiss superstar a fourth straight crown in Basel.

"It is definitely a big achievement to beat Roger in his home city and country," said Djokovic. "He had a huge amount of pressure on him to win today. I hope the crowd enjoyed it, I think we played a great match. I am really, really satisfied with this week."

Djokovic improved to 4-5 in a season-best nine ATP Tour finals this year. He also claimed his 15th career title and beat the great Federer for fifth time in 14 lifetime meetings.

Federer had not lost a set, nor had he even dropped serve on his way to the final, but Djokovic managed four breaks of serve on Sunday and saved all but two of the 11 break points against his serve.

"I think the lack of opportunities was the problem today," Federer stated. "I missed too many chances throughout the match. Novak played well and made it tough for me to get chances, but when I had them he also played well."

Djokovic saved four break points alone in an epic 10th game of the first set, while Federer saved five set points before the Serb finally won the set on his sixth chance.

"I think it was the turning point, as once I won the set I started to feel better and more confident," Djokovic noted.

Federer again fell behind in the second set, but rallied to win it. A Djokovic double fault in the 10th game gave Federer two set points and he was able to convert the second to send the match to a decisive set.

Djokovic, though, regrouped and broke serve twice to open a 4-0 lead in the third and saved three break-point chances against his serve in the sixth game before closing it out to end Federer's 19-match winning streak in Basel.

"I have won this tournament three times; nobody can take that away from me," Federer remarked. "That is why I am perhaps a little bit more relaxed, having lost today, even though I would have liked to have won. It is such a special place, playing in front of so many people I know. Also, playing in this part of Switzerland, it is special to be here. I will be back next year, hopefully better and stronger."

The top-seeded Federer was trying for his 62nd career singles title and fifth of 2009. He has still had a banner year with wins in Madrid and Cincinnati complementing his Grand Slam crowns at the French Open and Wimbledon.

By finally winning at Roland Garros in the spring, Federer completed a career Grand Slam. He then conquered Wimbledon for a sixth time to set the all-time record for major championships with 15.

Federer and Djokovic met for the fifth time in 2009 and the Serbian star notched his third win. He won the first two matchups in semifinal encounters at Miami and Rome, then lost in the title match at the U.S. Open tuneup in Cincinnati before also falling in the semifinals at Flushing Meadows a few weeks later.

Sunday's victory gave Djokovic four titles in a season for the third straight year, as well as a first prize of $432,980.