BASEL, Switzerland — Thomas Enqvist captured the Swiss Indoors on Sunday, beating Roger Federer in five sets and denying the Swiss star a chance to win before his home fans.
Enqvist, playing in his first tournament since injuring his foot in Austria two weeks ago, won 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-1 for the Swede's second title of the year.
"I was really pumped up," said Enqvist, seeded second. "It was tough and I think I played really well."
With the crowd clanging cowbells, Federer was bidding for the first ATP title of his career but had little game left in the final set. He also had little to say to a disheartened crowd.
"That's why my speech was so short," said Federer, an Olympic semifinalist. "I couldn't manage to say more. I couldn't get the words out."
This marked the first time in eight appearances in this tournament that Enqvist advanced beyond the second round.
"I can't explain why I've never done well here before," he said. "It's my favorite surface and one of the nicest indoor courts."
Enqvist powered to a 3-0 lead in the opening set, winning the first five points of the match. The Swede, up 5-2, then stretched Federer to deuce seven times before converting the last of five set points.
But Federer broke and went up 2-0 in the second set. With Enqvist committing unforced errors, Federer was able to hold and close the set, ending it with a stinging ace.
"Roger isn't an easy player to play," Enqvist said. "Roger always puts the ball where you least expect it to come and you have no idea how he managed to put it there."
It appeared Enqvist would take the third set, but Federer startled the crowd by wasting two set points, forcing a tiebreaker. Enqvist jumped ahead 4-1 lead but Federer recovered. The Swede won the next four points, silencing the cowbells and winning the set with a crosscourt return.
Federer charged to a 3-0 lead in the fourth set, then broke again at 4-1, attacking the net as Enqvist began making errors. But Federer appeared spent in the final set. He lost his serve at 1-0 and again at 4-1, surrendering the match with a long ball.
"I think I lost the match in the third set, not the fifth," Federer said. "I thought I was going to win that set but instead I lost it. He was just too good for me."
Enqvist's other title this year came at Cincinnati in August. He also reached three other the finals.