2011 BNP Paribas Open: ATP Seeds Part II
World Number 2 Roger Federer
Roger “the Maestro” Federer is seeded second at the 2011 BNP Paribas Open this year, as the second-highest rated player on the Association of Tennis Professionals [ATP] charts. He has been part of the ATP since 1998, and has been playing professional tennis
for almost thirteen years. He is coached by Paul Annacone.
The Swiss right-handed player is one of the most legendary players in the game of tennis. He has won the highest number of Grand Slam titles in the Open Era, setting a new record with 16 wins on the toughest stadiums in the sport.
Roger Federer has been participating at the Indian Wells event since 2001, when he was ousted in his first round by German Nicolas Kiefer. He has never missed the ATP Masters Series tournament, and scored his first Indian Wells tournament title in 2004 with
a crushing straight-sets defeat of British pro Tim Henman.
He managed to defend his title the next year, cruising through all his matches without dropping a set to confront Australian then-World Number 2 Lleyton Hewitt. He defeated his opponent in three sets to win the tournament. At this point in time, Federer
was the highest-ranked player on the ATP.
The Swiss Maestro defended his title yet again in 2006, another year in which he was ranked World Number 1. He received a bye in the first round, and saw a couple of difficult matches before making it to the final against American then-World Number 14 James
Blake. Federer ousted Blake in three sets with a bagel to win his third ATP Masters Series Indian Wells title.
However, this was his last victory at the tournament. He played again in 2009, when his ranking had slipped to World Number 2. He received a bye to the second round, and fought four tough matches before facing British Andy Murray in the semi-finals of the
event. Murray managed to end the Maestro’s run at the tournament in three sets.
Federer’s last showing at the tournament was even less satisfactory. He was ranked World Number 1 at the 2011 BNP Paribas Open, and began his campaign in the second round. His first opponent was Romanian Victor Hanescu, who gave the player a run for his
money before conceding the match in three sets. Federer was ousted by Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the next round of the tournament.
The player will be turning 30 this year, and his age is beginning to take a toll on his game. However, he performed well at both the Australian Open and the Dubai tournament before going down to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals on both occasions. If he
faces the Serbian once again, he may falter; however, the Swiss player is expected to make it to the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells event at the very least.
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