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Back issue forces Roger Federer out of Paris

Roger Federer recovered from a set down to defeat Juan Martin del Potro 6-7 (7-5) 6-4 6-3 to win the Swiss Indoors but is out of next week's Paris Masters.

Roger Federer recovered from a set down to defeat Juan Martin del Potro 6-7 (7-5) 6-4 6-3 to win the Swiss Indoors but is out of next week's Paris Masters. Photo: Getty

Roger Federer recovered from a set down to defeat Juan Martin del Potro 6-7 (7-5) 6-4 6-3 to earn his seventh trophy of the season with victory at the Swiss Indoors.

However, the Swiss maestro confirmed after his win that he will not play at this week’s Paris Masters due to a back injury.

The decision effectively gives up any chance Federer has of usurping Rafael Nadal as world No.1.

Nadal will confirm his place at the summit with just one win in Bercy.

Federer needed two-and-a-half hours to overcome the player who beat him in Basel finals in 2012 and 2013.

The 36 year-old was playing in his 13th Basel final, and stands 17-6 over Del Potro in their career series after they played for a fourth time in Federer’s hometown.

Federer has beaten the Argentine in three of four matches this season, losing only in a US Open quarter-final.

Victory marked the 95th title in Federer’s career and sent him past Ivan Lendl to trail Jimmy Connors (109 titles) in the all-time list.

Del Potro won the opening set, claiming six straight points in the tiebreaker before converting on his second set point.

That only sparked Federer into fightback mode, with the Swiss breaking in the final game of the second to level at a set each and then taking charge in the third.

A break for 3-1 paved the way as Federer landed a forehand winner for two match points and claimed victory in his second from Del Potro’s error.

“Roger was there playing high level tennis for two and a half hours,” the Argentine said. “He was better in key moments and he won. I have little things to improve and I can learn from this match.

“Physically I was 100 per cent today, I was close to winning, my body did not affect me in the final. I was running for all three sets and I fought until the last point.”

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