Indian Wells, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Defending champion Novak Djokovic won
his fourth Indian Wells title in defeating Roger Federer 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2
on Sunday.
The world No. 1 Djokovic avenged a loss to the second-seeded Federer in last
month’s Dubai final. He matched Federer for the most titles at this Masters
1000 series event.
Djokovic was dominant early behind a precise service game, stumbled and then
regained his strong form to capture his 50th career title and second of the
year. He won a fifth Australian Open crown on Feb. 1.
The Serbian connected on 100 percent (17-for-17) of his first serves in the
opening set.
Djokovic had a break point on Federer’s serve leading 4-2 in the second, but
he couldn’t convert. He then netted a forehand as Federer broke to level the
set at 4-all.
Federer fell behind 5-3 in the tiebreak, but rallied to force a third set.
Djokovic, whose consecutive double faults gave Federer a set point, responded
by breaking to go up 2-0 in the third.
Federer squandered four break points in the next game before Djokovic netted a
backhand, but the Swiss star wasted a 40-15 lead in the sixth game and double
faulted to give Djokovic a 4-2 lead.
After Djokovic closed out a hold with the last of his eight aces, Federer sent
a forehand wide to end the 38th match between the legends. Federer leads 20-18
in the head-to-head meetings.
