Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer ended a three-and-a-half year drought against Rafael Nadal on Sunday at the Swiss Indoors Basel, claiming a seventh title in his hometown 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 and equalling his career records in Dubai, Wimbledon and Cincinnati. In Halle, Federal had done even much better, garnering eight titles.

After a 21-month wait, Federer and Nadal renewed their storied rivalry on the indoor hard courts of the ATP World Tour 500 event, with the Swiss winning for the first time since the 2012 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

It was Federer’s 12th final on home soil in Basel and his third title this year at an ATP World Tour 500 event, adding to crowns in Dubai and Halle, and 88th of his career at the tour-level.

He also emerged victorious in Brisbane, Istanbul and Cincinnati in 2015.

Nadal, meanwhile, who owns a 23-11 FedEx ATP Head2Head edge, was vying for just his second indoor hard court trophy (Madrid 2005).

Although Nadal failed to clinch the title, he was full of praise for Swiss fans. “It was a week full of positives for me. I would like to thank the Swiss fans for their support over the past seven days. Today it’s understandable that I didn’t receive quite as much applause as I have on previous occasions this week,” said the Spaniard.