LEAD: Federer crushes Nishikori to resume winning habit

By Bill Scott Nov 6, 2011, 16:40 GMT

Basle, Switzerland - Roger Federer picked up a fifth title at his Swiss Indoors home tournament on Sunday, hammering Japanese wild card Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour.

The world number four Swiss has appeared in eight of a dozen Basle finals including the last six in succession.

He now owns 68 career ATP titles but claimed his last one 10 long months ago when he won Doha in the first week of January. The last final for the 16-time Grand Slam champion was at Roland Garros where he lost to Rafael Nadal.

Federer had kind words for the 32nd-ranked Nishikori, a 21-year-old whom he hit with several seasons ago in Miami.

At the time, the Swiss was impressed, with his opinion only improving after beating the Asian in the 72-minute final.

'Kei put up a good fight. I've known ever since I hit with him as a teenager that he could have a good future. He's had some injuries but he's playing well now,' Federer said.

'It's great to win at home again. It was a good match and I'm very happy for the win. This is a good boost into Paris (next week) and the year-end final.'

After playing the last six Basle finals and winning five of them - his only loss came to Novak Djokovic in 2009 - Federer stands 29-1 over the past six editions.

Federer now moves on to the Paris Masters, last event of the ATP regular season before the year-end World Tour Finals in London from November 20.

Nishikori will be playing on a special exempt after reaching the Swiss semis, where he beat top seed and world number one Novak Djokovic, who re-injured his shoulder in that loss and could be doubtful for Paris.

Federer swept up the opening set in 28 minutes, losing just one point in serve, winning it as Nishikori double-faulted.

'I started nervous, I was excited to be playing the final against Roger. But I only remember playing well in the last few points of the match,' said Nishikori.

'I'm a little disappointed at hoe I played today. My serve didn't go well. But Roger gives you no time to think out there, I really couldn't to anything.'

Federer's pace slowed only slightly in the second set as he broke for 4-2 and completed the afternoon with a concluding break for victory on his first match point.

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