Basle, Switzerland - Novak Djokovic upset Roger Federer 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 Sunday to seize the Swiss Indoors title from the home favourite. The Serb second seed said the result turned on a marathon 24-minute 10th game of the opening set, which Djokovic won to gain momentum against the world number one, winner of the last three editions in his hometown.
Djokovic won his fifth of 14 matches in the series as Federer lost at home for the first time since 2003.
"I played the best match of the week when I really needed it," said Djokovic, playing in his first indoor final of the year and winner of a first indoor title since the Masters Cup in Shanghai last November.
"The form came at the right moment."
The opening break came after nearly 30 minutes as the Swiss put a return wide to send Djokovic ahead 5-4.
But the ensuing 10th game turned into a marathon lasting almost half an hour with the momentum shifting dramatically as both struggled for an edge.
Federer failed make a dent with five break points while it took his opponent seven set points to finally end the first set 6-4 after nearly an hour.
As Djokovic was treated on a hip injury, the situation got worse for Federer, who lost serve to begin the second set, with his opponent reaching 2-0.
Federer held for 1-2 and earned the break back to stabilise the situation, then stayed in control in front of his home public.
Djokovic drove a forehand into the net on a second Federer set point to level at a set each.
The Swiss had more trouble to start the final set, losing serve twice, 0-3 on the way to the loss, his ninth of 2009 against 59 wins.
"Novak was too good today," said the Swiss, 9-5 in the series with Djokovic. "But I always enjoy playing at home."
Federer had won two of the previous three meetings with Djokovic in finals. They were playing in their fifth meeting of the year (splitting the previous four).
Federer missed on a fourth straight Basle title and had not lost serve (holding 39 games) or a single set.
"It's disappointing to lose a final at home," said Federer. "I tried hard, I was just outplayed.
"But there are no excuses, Novak played tough and saved a tonne of break points. I needed to play much better on attack.
"I was always down in the score and every time I got a momentum shift he would break me again. I could never get any momentum. Things did not go my way at all today."
Federer now stands 4-3 in finals this year while Djokovic is 4-5.
Both men next play the Paris Masters, final event of the ATP regular season with both having qualified for the season-ending World Tour Finals in London from November 22.
Seven men will fight for two remaining spots in Paris.
