Seven-time Swiss Indoors champion Roger Federer and last year's finalist Rafael Nadal lead an all-star field at the penultimate ATP 500 of the year in Basel. Joining Federer and Nadal at the St. Jakobshalle is fellow Swiss star Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori, and Milos Raonic.
Federer going for a record eighth title
After winning his seventh Swiss Indoors title last year in an incredible three-set final against Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer looks to defend his Basel title. The two-time defending champion was once a ball-boy way back when he was a kid, and is now going for a record eighth Basel title. The 17-time Grand Slam champion will look to hold off thorough opposition if he is to win an eighth title in the Swiss capital.
Nadal seeking a first Basel title
After first playing in Basel in 2014, where he made the quarterfinals, the Spaniard returned to the St. Jakobshalle in 2015, making his first final at the indoor event. Nadal will look to go one further in 2016, after falling to Federer in a tight third set in the title match.
Wawrinka looking to buck trend of mediocre Basel results
Wawrinka began his career in Basel losing first round the first three years, before making the semifinals in 2006, before falling to Chilean right-hander Fernando Gonzalez. The next year in 2007, the Swiss made the second round, before falling to Czech Tomas Berdych. After another disappointing opening loss at his home tournament, Wawrinka made the quarterfinals in 2009, before falling to Novak Djokovic. The following year in 2010, the two-time Grand Slam champion made the last four, before falling victim to the merciless run of Roger Federer. Unfortunately for the Swiss, the past four years Wawrinka has failed to win a single match at the Swiss Indoors, so the Lausanne native will look to get back on track in Basel.
What to expect from Basel?
With more players to be confirmed later, the early entry list is already quite intriguing. With Federer looking for a record eighth title, Nadal seeking a first title, and home hope Wawrinka looking to get back to winning ways in the Swiss capital, the tournament promises to be an exciting one as the top ATP World Tour players battle it out in Basel.