Federer eyes first win of 2013
9 March 2013 1:36 AM GMT
Roger Federer, with two unsuccessful title defences behind him already this year, is eager to reverse that trend at the Indian Wells Masters.
The Swiss great, seeded second in the first of the ATP’s elite Masters events of 2013 behind world number one Novak Djokovic, missed out on retaining titles in Rotterdam and Dubai.
In Rotterdam he fell to France’s Julien Benneteau in the quarterfinals, while in Dubai he failed to convert three match points in a semifinal loss to Tomas Berdych. But Federer didn’t seem to think it was time to panic as he assessed his season so far on Thursday.
‘I think I played really well in Australia,’ he said of his semifinal run in the Australian Open. ‘Rotterdam, I was disappointed with. I felt I could have done better. ‘Dubai was a bit unfortunate, losing with three match points and having to explain the loss when you feel you should be preparing for the final.
‘What happened, happened. I’m playing fine. Obviously I hoped to have won a tournament by now, but I’m happy with my game.’
His victory over American John Isner in last year’s final made him the first to win the men’s title at this combined WTA and ATP event four times. In his second-round opener Federer will face Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.
The Swiss great, seeded second in the first of the ATP’s elite Masters events of 2013 behind world number one Novak Djokovic, missed out on retaining titles in Rotterdam and Dubai.
In Rotterdam he fell to France’s Julien Benneteau in the quarterfinals, while in Dubai he failed to convert three match points in a semifinal loss to Tomas Berdych. But Federer didn’t seem to think it was time to panic as he assessed his season so far on Thursday.
‘I think I played really well in Australia,’ he said of his semifinal run in the Australian Open. ‘Rotterdam, I was disappointed with. I felt I could have done better. ‘Dubai was a bit unfortunate, losing with three match points and having to explain the loss when you feel you should be preparing for the final.
‘What happened, happened. I’m playing fine. Obviously I hoped to have won a tournament by now, but I’m happy with my game.’
His victory over American John Isner in last year’s final made him the first to win the men’s title at this combined WTA and ATP event four times. In his second-round opener Federer will face Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.
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