Roger's rest reinforces Rafa at top

BASEL, Switzerland - Insisting his body needs a break, Roger Federer has pulled out of next week's Paris Masters, virtually ensuring old rival Rafael Nadal will end 2017 on top of the world rankings.

The 36-year-old Federer, a 19-time Grand Slam champion, withdrew from the final event of the regular season after battling past Juan Martin del Potro 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3 to win his eighth Swiss Indoors title in Basel on Sunday.

Federer's 95th career title moved him into second place on the all-time list behind the 109 of Jimmy Connors. He had said all week that he would make a late decision depending on his post-Basel fitness.