Roger Federer topples Rafael Nadal to reach title-round of the BNP Paribas Open 2012: Tennis Special
World number three, Roger Federer, stunned the second seed, Rafael Nadal, in straight sets at the BNP Paribas Open 2012 on Saturday night. He joggled up a 6-3, 6-4 victory over the 25-year-old to secure a title-round place at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Masters 1000 event taking place in Indian Wells, United States.
In an epic clash between two former world number one stars, third seeded Federer flashed his old self to upset the Swiss number one in their 29th tour level meeting. After dominating in an hour and 31-minute marathon, the Swiss Maestro not only lowered the trail in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series by 11-18 but also avenged his defeat against Nadal at the Australian Open earlier this season.
"Very happy that a tough week like this gives me an opportunity to win the tournament," said the high flying Swiss in a courtside interview. "Really it's unbelievable that I never thought I would come so far. Obviously conditions were tough today, and against one of my greatest rivals, it's always nice if you come out on top, so I'm very, very happy."
The Swiss veteran made a shaky start at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and faced two breakpoints in the opening game. However, Federer held his composure and after dusting away the breakpoints, he plucked his serve. The Swiss then drew the first blood in the following game and jumped to a 3-0 lead. Despite losing his edge in the fifth game, the 30-year-old cashed in another break chance in the eighth game and subsequently pulled out the opener with a 6-3 win.
Currently ranked third in the South African Airways ATP World Rankings, Federer kept momentum rolling into the following set and broke the Spaniard’s serve to love in the third game, eventually going 3-1 up. He maintained his intensity after that and converted another break opportunity in the seventh game to extend his lead to 5-2. Regardless of gifting away his serve in the very next game, the Swiss kept his serve once more and sealed the deal by winning six games to four.
The left-handed Spaniard had a better first serve share but squandered it. In addition to this, weather conditions were also against him and after spilling more errors, Nadal eventually exited form the tournament with regret.
"I was feeling the ball great. I felt I'm ready to compete and ready to win the match, but later the crazy wind [made it] very difficult for me to play with a clear tactic," the Spaniard commented after the match.
The Basel native on the other hand leads the season with a 21-2 win-loss record. He has lost only two out of 40 matches since bowing out in the semi-finals at the US Open last year.
Federer will square off against the 11th seed, John Isner, who stole the show by upsetting the world number one, Novak Djokovic, earlier that night. He can easily claim his 73rd career title if he plays in a similar way. However, the Swiss needs to improve his defensive skills and should not take the local star lightly as he tumbled over the Serbian number one.
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