RICKY DIMON’S PREVIEW AND PICK FOR THE INDIAN WELLS FINAL: DJOKOVIC VS. FEDERER

Written by: Staff on 22nd March 2015

RICKY DIMON'S PREVIEW AND PICK FOR THE INDIAN WELLS FINAL: DJOKOVIC VS. FEDERER

epa04672029 Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during his quarter-final match against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 20 March 2015. EPA/DANIEL MURPHY |

The majority of fans–tournament owner Larry Ellison included–were undoubtedly crushed when an anticipated semifinal showdown between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal came oh so close to becoming a reality…only to be denied.

But they will get their blockbuster BNP Paribas Open matchup, and it will come in the form of another Federer vs. Novak Djokovic clash in Sunday’s final.

The top two players in the world will be squaring off for the 38th time in their careers. After a relative drought of head-to-head meetings from the end of 2012 to the end of 2013, this will be their 10th encounter in the last 17 months. The stretch already includes one Indian Wells title match, in which Djokovic prevailed 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) last season. Federer, though, leads the overall series 20-17 and most recently scored a 6-3, 7-5 victory to lift the trophy in Dubai. The Swiss has won two in a row over Djokovic dating back to last fall and is 15-13 in the rivalry on hard courts.

Both men have been outstanding–and also somewhat fortunate–this fortnight. Djokovic’s run to the final included a quarterfinal walkover past Bernard Tomic, although it’s hard to imagine the top-ranked Serb would have been seriously troubled in that one. Djokovic has not dropped a set in wins at the expense of Marcos Bagahdatis, Albert Ramos-Vinolas, John Isner, and Andy Murray.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action during his semifinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 21 March 2015. EPA/MIKE NELSON

“The last two matches have went really well,” Djokovic commented. “I had a phenomenal start of the season, and hopefully I can do my best tomorrow and maybe get another trophy.”

Federer appeared in be in line for a date with Nadal, whom many would consider the 17-time slam champion’s arch-nemesis. But the Spaniard squandered three match points in a quarterfinal clash against Milos Raonic and lost 4-6, 7-6(10), 7-5. The big-serving Canadian was promptly disposed of by Federer 7-5, 6-4. Federer has also defeated Diego Schwartzman, Andreas Seppi, Jack Sock, and Tomas Berdych without even being pushed to a tiebreaker.

“I’m very happy (with) how well I’m playing,” the world No. 2 assured. “I’m serving well, which is always crucial. I played great in Dubai; great again this week.”

Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during his fourth round match against Jack Sock of the US at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 18 March 2015. EPA/DANIEL MURPHY

Unfortunately for Federer, he is not as dominant in the desert as he is in Dubai, where conditions suit him perfectly. A somewhat slow court in Indian Wells will help Djokovic turn the contest into more of a baseline war of attrition. Given the way the No. 1 seed is playing defense from the back of the court and turning it into offense, Federer will have trouble keeping points short. That being said, this should be another competitive three-setter.

Pick: Djokovic in 3

Editors Note : Federer in 2

Topics: Atp, BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells final, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

March 22, 2015 at 9:39 am

-@Dimonator’s PREVIEW AND PICK FOR THE #IndianWellsFinal: @DjokerNole VS. @rogerfederer http://t.co/usamlu8fUX #BNPPO15 #tennis #IndianWells
Dimonator says:

March 22, 2015 at 9:43 am

RT @10sBalls_com: -@Dimonator’s PREVIEW AND PICK FOR THE #IndianWellsFinal: @DjokerNole VS. @rogerfederer http://t.co/usamlu8fUX #BNPPO15 #…