Rogers Federer retains Basel title

ROGER Federer has retained his title at the ATP 500 Basel after defeating Rafael Nadal in an entertaining three-set final.

The Swiss star had lost his five previous matches against Nadal and appeared in danger of another defeat when he dropped the second set, but took a decisive break in the third to seal a 6-3 5-7 6-3 win on home soil.

Nadal has shown new-found confidence throughout the week and quickly scrutinised the Federer serve, bringing up an early break point which was repelled by his long-time rival.

Federer was far more clinical with his next break point opportunity as a pinpoint forehand allowed him to move 4-2 up in the opener. 

With Nadal pushing for a break back, Federer fired another forehand winner to preserve his serve and then snatched a second break to seal the set.

But the Spaniard has shown his usual battling spirit in recent months and took his third break point chance to move 6-5 up in the second set.

A fizzing forehand into the corner kept Federer at bay in the next game and Nadal would level the match with a fierce slam.

Both men refused to give ground in the early stages of the decider, with Federer unloading sweetly-struck ground strokes while briefly troubled on his serve.

Nadal could not keep his old foe at bay in the eighth game and was broken after sweeping a forehand into the net.

But Federer was still forced to work for his seventh title win as Nadal fended off one match point before firing long to confirm his defeat.