Roger Federer roared into the final of the ATP Indian Wells Masters 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 semi-finals. Defending champ 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," Federer said of Sunday's final. "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."
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," said Federer. "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."
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," Djokovic said. "Probably the player that is in the best form. "In the last 12 months he's been playing some of his best tennis."
If Djokovic wins Sunday 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," said Djokovic of trying to add to the titles he won in 2008, 2011 and last year.
Comments
Comments are closed.