Federer produced his normal consistently strong game

The Swiss maestro beat unseeded Finn Jarkko Nieminen 6-3 6-4 to successfully defend his hometown title in Basle.

Federer, who has now won seven titles this season, had not dropped a single set in any of his previous seven meetings with the world number 29.

A single break of the Finn's serve in each set was enough for a clinical win.

Federer's victory was his 52nd career title and he joins Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras among players to have been world number one four times in as many years.

I've known him since he was 14 or 15. He's still the same person Nieminen on Federer

Nieminen actually had a point to go 2-0 up in the second set, but failed to seize the only break-point presented by Federer in the course of the match.

"It's great to win at home again," said the 12-time Grand Slam champion, who also lifted the title in Basle a year ago at the venue where he got his start as a ballboy.

"I've now got the number one for another year. The crowd really helped me," he said of 9,200 at the St Jakobshalle.

Niemenen said of Federer: "I've known him since he was 14 or 15. He's still the same person and he respects all the players and all the people.