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Switzerland's Roger Federer returns the ball to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their final match...
Roger Federer won the Swiss Indoors title in his hometown for the fourth time in five years on Sunday when he beat Novak Djokovic 6-4 3-6 6-1 in the final.The Swiss also recorded his 65th ATP tournament win to move ahead of Pete Sampras, though he still trails Jimmy Conners, Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe in overall career titles.
It was Federer's second win over world number three Djokovic in a month and his fourth title of a year, suggesting reports of his demise may have been premature.
"I've played really well all week long," said Federer after his 12th win in 18 matches against the Serb and his third in four this year.
Djokovic, who interrupted Federer's run by beating him in last year's final in Basel, rued the start to the third set, when he said he lost his focus.
"I lost my balance a bit and in a split second I was 5-1 down and there was no way back. You don't get many chances against Roger, if you lose your focus he's right on top of you."
DELIGHTFUL STROKES
Federer started with a superb service return on the first point and had two break points in the first game but hit both into the net.
The Swiss himself had to save two break points in the second game, the only glimmer of a chance Djokovic had in the first set, before breaking in the third.
World number two Federer produced some delightful strokes including a superb backhand drop from near the baseline in the fourth game.
But he seemed to lose his composure at the start of the second set and was broken in the second game as he produced a flurry of unforced errors.
There were some outstanding rallies, one ending with a stunning crosscourt drive from the Serb and another a perfect smash by Federer from a Djokovic lob which nearly hit the ceiling.
Federer saved one set point in the eighth game but Djokovic then held serve to level to clinch the set and level the match.
Federer could have fallen apart after missing two sitters in a row in the second game of the final set, over-hitting both with the court at his mercy.
Instead, he produced the decisive break in the fourth game with a superb pass down the line followed by a double fault from his opponent.
(Editing by Tom Pilcher, To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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