Federer crushes Goffin for sixth Basel title

Federer spent 51 minutes in pleasing his hometown crowd, setting up two match points with a fifth ace and effortlessly piloting over a winning drop shot on his first opportunity to claim the 82nd title of his career.

The Swiss world number two rendered his game untouchable to once again overawe his baby-faced Belgian opponent as he had done in their first meeting at Roland Garros in 2012.

“I’m very happy with this week and with my season,” said the 17-time Grand Slam champion, who will carry on next week to the Paris Masters, followed by the season finals in London and a Davis Cup final for Switzerland on indoor clay in France.

“I’ve had a lot of highlights this year and I’m hoping for one or two more,” he added.

Federer is also chasing his chance to regain the world number one ranking from Novak Djokovic by season’s end.

In the last two months, Federer has won the Cincinnati and Shanghai Masters events and reached the US Open semi-finals.

His Basel title was his sixth here from 11 finals played over a span of 15 years.

Federer broke twice per set to ease his way home.

The 33-year-old now stands 56-9 in Basel and 66-10 this season with five titles.

Basel becomes one of six events that he has won at least six times, with others comprising Halle (7), Wimbledon (7), World Tour Finals (6), Dubai (6) and Cincinnati (6).

Federer has played 123 ATP finals, with Basel his tenth this season. -AFP