Federer sets up final rematch with Djokovic
23 March 2015 12:06 AM GMT
Roger Federer roared into the final of the ATP Indian Wells Masters on Saturday where he will face Novak Djokovic in a blockbuster showdown between the world’s top two players. Federer’s remarkable run at Indian Wells continued with a 7-5, 6-4 demolition of Canada’s Milos Raonic in the semifinals. Defending champion Djokovic was equally dominant earlier in the day with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 win over world number four Andy Murray.
“It is going to be quite physical out there. I think we played five times last year and then now this would be the second time this year. We have played each other a bunch now,” Federer said of the final. The two also met in last year’s Indian Wells final which Djokovic won 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3). The ageless Federer has been in top form the past two weeks in the California desert and a win on Sunday would avenge last year’s heartbreaking loss.
I think last year’s final was great. We both played very well. Came down to the wire. I didn’t get off to a good start to the breaker and then he ran away with it. After losing by so little last year I was quite disappointed, even though I was happy with how I was playing. So I couldn’t wait until I got a chance to play him again here,” said Federer. This will be the 38th career meeting between the two with Federer holding a 20-17 edge. Their most recent meeting was in the final last month in Dubai where Federer won in straight sets 6-3, 7-5. Serb Djokovic says facing a red-hot Federer so soon in the final of another big tournament is what he craves.
“It’s the ultimate final that right now I can have. Probably the player that is in the best form. In the last 12 months he’s been playing some of his best tennis,” Djokovic said.
If Djokovic wins, he will equal Federer for the most Indian Wells men’s titles with four. “It doesn’t play a decisive role on how I’m going to approach the match, but it does motivate me. It does give me this positive wind in the back that I can maybe use and manifest on the court,” said Djokovic.
The 33-year-old Federer won in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2012. Federer improved to 16-1 this year with his only loss coming against Andreas Seppi at the Australian Open in January. He avenged that defeat in the third round at Indian Wells this year, spanking Seppi 6-3, 6-4. He also took just 69 minutes to reach the semis by ousting in straight sets Czech Tomas Berdych.
“It is going to be quite physical out there. I think we played five times last year and then now this would be the second time this year. We have played each other a bunch now,” Federer said of the final. The two also met in last year’s Indian Wells final which Djokovic won 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3). The ageless Federer has been in top form the past two weeks in the California desert and a win on Sunday would avenge last year’s heartbreaking loss.
I think last year’s final was great. We both played very well. Came down to the wire. I didn’t get off to a good start to the breaker and then he ran away with it. After losing by so little last year I was quite disappointed, even though I was happy with how I was playing. So I couldn’t wait until I got a chance to play him again here,” said Federer. This will be the 38th career meeting between the two with Federer holding a 20-17 edge. Their most recent meeting was in the final last month in Dubai where Federer won in straight sets 6-3, 7-5. Serb Djokovic says facing a red-hot Federer so soon in the final of another big tournament is what he craves.
“It’s the ultimate final that right now I can have. Probably the player that is in the best form. In the last 12 months he’s been playing some of his best tennis,” Djokovic said.
If Djokovic wins, he will equal Federer for the most Indian Wells men’s titles with four. “It doesn’t play a decisive role on how I’m going to approach the match, but it does motivate me. It does give me this positive wind in the back that I can maybe use and manifest on the court,” said Djokovic.
The 33-year-old Federer won in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2012. Federer improved to 16-1 this year with his only loss coming against Andreas Seppi at the Australian Open in January. He avenged that defeat in the third round at Indian Wells this year, spanking Seppi 6-3, 6-4. He also took just 69 minutes to reach the semis by ousting in straight sets Czech Tomas Berdych.
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