ROGER FEDERER THRASHES RAFA NADAL TO REACH INDIAN WELLS TENNIS QUARTERFINALS AT THE 2017 BNP PARIBAS OPEN

Written by: Staff on 15th March 2017

ROGER FEDERER THRASHES RAFA NADAL TO REACH INDIAN WELLS TENNIS QUARTERFINALS AT THE 2017 BNP PARIBAS OPEN

epa05851104 Roger Federer of Switzerland (R) hugs Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) after his win in their match at the 2017 BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, USA, 15 March 2017. EPA/LARRY W. SMITH |

Federer thrashes Nadal in straight sets to reach Indian Wells quarterfinals

By Ricky Dimon

With a slower hard court at the BNP Paribas Open than what had been on display at the Australian Open, many expected the latest installment of the Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal rivalry to be much different from what took place less than two months ago.

In a way, it was.

Federer emerged victorious once again, except this time he had things in cruise control from start to finish. The 35-year-old Swiss, who beat Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to capture his 18th Grand Slam title at the Aussie Open, hammered the Spaniard 6-2, 6-3 in a mere one hour and eight minutes during fourth-round action in Indian Wells.

Converting four of five break-point opportunities, Federer seized control right away and never let it go. He broke for an immediate 1-0 lead in the first set and for 2-1 in the second, so Nadal was playing from behind all evening.

“For me, it was all about coming out and trying to play the way I did in Australia,” Federer explained. “I didn’t think it was going to be possible, to be quite honest, because the court is more jumpy here or more rough–so it’s hard to put the ball away. (But) when you serve well and stay on the offensive and you press, you can actually play some really good, aggressive tennis here.

“I was able to hold my serve and he couldn’t find a way how to get into my service games more frequently. (The) next thing you know, it’s all over. It was a really good performance by me.”

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Roger Federer of Switzerland during their match at the 2017 BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, USA, 15 March 2017. EPA/DANIEL MURPHY

Nadal, meanwhile, was doomed by mediocre 59 percent serving. The world No. 6 also failed to win more than 59 percent of his points on either first or second serve.

“In Australia (it) was a very close match,” Nadal reflected. “I had good chances to win. Today, (I did) not. Today he played better than me. I didn’t play my best match, and he played well…. (In) these kind of matches when you’re not playing your (best) match, (it) is impossible to win.”

The possibility of Federer lifting the Indian Wells trophy improved dramatically after Wednesday’s result, but his draw does not get any easier. Up next for him when “Group of Death” action continues on Friday is Nick Kyrgios. The 21-year-old Australian upset Novak Djokovic for the second time in two tries this season, as he took down the second-ranked Serb 6-4, 7-6(3) on Wednesday afternoon.