Both Djokovic and Pennetta Raise Titles in Indian Wells

March 17, 2014 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

On Sunday, world number two Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3), in the finals of the 2014 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif. With the win, Djokovic claimed his 42nd title and 17th at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament, tying Andre Agassi at third on the Masters 1000 title leaders list. Djokovic also won the Indian Wells title in 2008 and 2011.

"As I said before the match today, very few points will decide a winner, and that's what happened," said Djokovic. "Roger is playing in a very high level. He just played better than he did in the last 13, 14 months. I needed to really be in the top of my game and very concentrated the last moment in order to win. That's what I've done. Very proud of my achievements during this tournament."

Djokovic is now 16-17 lifetime against Federer. Djokovic earned $1 million for the win and 1,000 Emirates ATP Rankings points, while Federer earned $500,000 and 600 points, and will climb three spots to number five in the Emirates ATP Men’s Singles Rankings.

"It was an interesting end to the match, no doubt," said Federer. "But I think he played well. At the end he made sure he kept the ball in play and I might have made a few too many errors when it really mattered. But I think he made a crucial sort of 20 minutes, half and hour midway through the second set and third set where things could have gone either way. But credit to him for toughening it out and winning that second set and getting the breaker in the third."

On the women’s side of the draw, it was Italy’s Flavia Pennetta who was a 6-2, 6-1 winner in the women’s singles finals over an injured Agnieszka Radwanska.

"It's incredible, something amazing," Pennetta said after her win. Pennetta was considering retirement before reaching the semifinals of the 2013 U.S. Open last year, but with the win in Indian Wells, climbs nine spots to 12th in this week’s WTA Women’s Singles Rankings.

After holding serve to open the second set, Radwanska called for her trainer and had her knee taped up. She was clearly hobbled by the injury the remainder of the match, and eventually fell to Pennetta in just one hour and 13 minutes.


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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