Federer Downs Nadal at Indian Wells

March 16, 2017 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Federer_01

Roger Federer defeated the fifth-seeded Rafael Nadal in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, to advance to the quarterfinals in Indian Wells, Calif. The win sets up a matchup between Federer, a four-time Indian Wells champion, and Australian Nick Kyrgios, a 6-4, 7-6(3) upset winner earlier over world number two Novak Djokovic.

“All the matches that we have played are unique in many ways for both of us, winning or losing,” said Federer of Nadal. “So I take it. Obviously I cannot celebrate too long this time around … I have to get back to work in a couple of days.”

Nadal was rarely in control of a point throughout and when serving to stay in the match, a forehand clipped the net and failed to trickle over handing Federer two match points.

Federer has only met Kyrgios one time prior, a win for Kyrgios in the Round of 32 at the ATP World Tour Madrid Masters in 2015.

“I'm very impressed him taking out Novak, back-to-back weeks, on Novak's best surface,” Federer said of Kyrgios. “I hope it's going to lead to something great for Nick, that he realizes if he puts his head down and focuses that he can bring it, day in and day out, week in and week out. When it matters the most against the best and in the finals, he's there … Of course I'd like to get him back.”

Djokovic’s 19-match winning streak at the BNP Paribas Open was snapped after his loss to Kyrgios. It was Kyrgios' second win in three weeks over Djokovic, after his victory against the Serbian in the Acapulco quarterfinals.


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Pointset
Century

March/April 2024 Digital Edition