Federer v Gonzo Again in Basel Final
Posted on October 29, 2006For the second consecutive week Roger Federer and Fernando Gonzalez will do battle with an ATP title on the line, this time in Fed's hometown of Basel.
Federer, the top seed seeks to win his first Basel title in three tries, and figures to be the heavy favorite as the Swiss just beat his Chilean opponent last week in Madrid, running his record vs. Gonzalez to 8-0.
On Saturday Federer prevailed in a thrilling semifinal battle against Paradorn Srichaphan 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5). Federer has won eight tiebreaks in a row in 2006.
Federer dropped his first set in 11 matches and was twice a mini-break down in the tiebreaker during the semifinal. Paradorn could have won by taking two points on serve while leading 5-4. Federer hit a forehand winner and then the Thai made an unforced error, allowing the Swiss to close the match.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez beat Swiss No. 2 Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 6-4.
The win marked Fed's 23rd straight victory since his second-round loss to Andy Murray this summer at Cincinnati. The Swiss magician will also be playing in his 15th final of the year, and he is 10-4 in those matches so far, falling only to Nadal. For his career he is 43-13 in finals. He missed this event for the last two years because of injuries.
The 26-year-old Gonzalez will play in his third straight final following a runner-up in Madrid last week (l. to Federer) and in Vienna two weeks ago (l. to Ljubicic). Gonzo has a career record of 7-7 in finals with his last title coming at Basel a year ago.
Gonzalez has won 24 of his last 30 matches.
Federer, the top seed seeks to win his first Basel title in three tries, and figures to be the heavy favorite as the Swiss just beat his Chilean opponent last week in Madrid, running his record vs. Gonzalez to 8-0.
On Saturday Federer prevailed in a thrilling semifinal battle against Paradorn Srichaphan 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5). Federer has won eight tiebreaks in a row in 2006.
Federer dropped his first set in 11 matches and was twice a mini-break down in the tiebreaker during the semifinal. Paradorn could have won by taking two points on serve while leading 5-4. Federer hit a forehand winner and then the Thai made an unforced error, allowing the Swiss to close the match.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez beat Swiss No. 2 Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 6-4.
The win marked Fed's 23rd straight victory since his second-round loss to Andy Murray this summer at Cincinnati. The Swiss magician will also be playing in his 15th final of the year, and he is 10-4 in those matches so far, falling only to Nadal. For his career he is 43-13 in finals. He missed this event for the last two years because of injuries.
The 26-year-old Gonzalez will play in his third straight final following a runner-up in Madrid last week (l. to Federer) and in Vienna two weeks ago (l. to Ljubicic). Gonzo has a career record of 7-7 in finals with his last title coming at Basel a year ago.
Gonzalez has won 24 of his last 30 matches.