Title for Federer after 10 months

World No 4 defeats Japans Kei Nishikori in straight sets to win Swiss Open.

Roger Federer returned to winning 10 months after his last title as the home hero beat Japanese wild card Kei Nishikori 6-1 6-3 to win a fifth Swiss Indoors title. The third seed lost just one point in a dominating first set which lasted 28 minutes on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Nishikori found some range in the second set but had no hopes against an on-form Federer in front of his enthusiastic home crowd at the event where he once served as a ballboy.

Its great to win at home again, said Federer. Kei put up a good fight. Ive known ever since I hit with him as a teenager that he could have a good future. Hes had some injuries but hes playing well now. It was a good match and Im very happy for the win.

Its always the greatest for me to win the title here. See you next year, he said on court in Swiss-German.

The 30-year-old Federer now stands 29-1 at the event over the past six years after playing six straight finals. The tournament is the only non-grand slam tournament where he has won more than 40 matches. Federer also improved to 54-12 this season as he competed in his first final since losing to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros in June. His last title came at the season-opening event in Doha,Qatar.

It has been a long time since I felt so good physically, Federer said. Im at a different point in my career to the younger guys,I have to focus on whats better for my body,my mind,my family and I think it was the right decision.

Federer,who hit with Nishikori several seasons ago in Miami and had the Asian youngster marked for a promising future,was playing in his 98th ATP final,standing 68-30 and 2-2 in 2011. Federer nailed five aces and broke on four of 13 chances against Nishikori,who was playing his second final of the season after Houston in the spring. The Swiss saved the only break point he faced. Its been a great week. I got better as the week went on and I saved the best for last, he said.

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Federer allowed Nishkori one game in the opening set as the newcomer put of a fight to no avail. The veteran claimed the opener on a Nishikori double-fault and then broke for 4-2 in the second after producing his third love game,Federer concluded with a break,setting up a match point with a pass after drawing Nishikori into the net.

Rising up the ranks

I tried to fight,but Roger would not let me into the match, said Nishikori. Im very glad to have played the final. Nishikori will rise to a career-best ATP ranking around No. 25 on Monday,also the best ever by a Japanese man.

The Basel lineup originally included five top-10 players with Federer and Djokovic returning from six-week breaks after the US Open and Davis Cup matches. However,Federer won without playing anyone ranked better than No. 15 Andy Roddick of the United States in the quarterfinals. An injury-hit week saw Djokovic hampered by right shoulder pains against Nishikori,while Britains Andy Murray withdrew one hour before his first-round match.