Roger Federer eyes at the Indian Wells glory again – Tennis Special
Former world number one, Roger Federer is bidding for his fourth title at the BNP Paribas Open 2012, an ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Masters 1000 event held in Indian Wells, United States.
The 16-time Grand Slam champion, Federer triumphed at this hard court event from 2004-06 and is eying to steal the spotlight once more. He is bidding for his 73rd career title at these Californian hard courts.
“This tournament has worked out well for me, winning three titles in a row and playing some of my best tennis here,” said the Swiss veteran.
Although the Swiss ace has not grabbed a Grand Slam title since the Australian Open two years ago, he has shelved 10 ATP World Tour titles during this period.
“I was able to sort of turn it around. Now I just have to keep it up,” Federer was quoted further.
Regardless of halting the Serbian number one Novak Djokovic at the French Open last season, Federer bowed out to his arch rival, Rafael Nadal of Spain, in the final showdown at that major clay court tournament. He also fell to Djokovic in the final four at the Australian Open and the US Open last year. The Basel native crashed out to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-finals at the Wimbledon Championships. However, he seemed to seek his rhythm at the end of 2011 season and outclassed everyone after exiting from the semi-finals at the US Open, the last Grand Slam event of the year. He blasted massive groundstrokes from his arsenal of skills and went on a 17-0 win-loss record.
“It's about keeping up the good work and hopefully playing even better tennis, or at least maintaining this level of playing.” said the Swiss Maestro. “I've been playing aggressive, I was focused and I didn't doubt my ability. I'm defending much better than I was in the middle of last year when I felt like I couldn't come out of tough defensive positions.”
Ranked third in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Federer bagged three titles at his 17-match winning streak. His run started from his two wins at the Davis Cup against the Australian team. He then breezed past everyone at the Swiss Indoors before crippling his rivals at the Paris Masters 1000 event without losing a set.
The highly energetic Federer flashed his old self at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London and after outclassing the likes of Nadal and Tomas Berdych, he earned the spotlight.
The 30-year-old lost his momentum at the Mubadala World Tennis Championships, an ATP exhibition event held in the start of 2012. He lost to Djokovic and Nadal but later cruised to make a semi-final berth at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. However, after making a semi-final appearance at the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam event of the year, Federer lifted his game and went on a 10-game killing spree. His incredible run of form led him clinched titles at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships before entering this Masters 1000 event.
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