Federer stays cool to blunt Isner threat

Published on 19/03/2012 02:27

Roger Federer coolly outplayed surprise finalist John Isner 7-6, 6-3 last night to become the first player to win the Indian Wells ATP tournament four times.

The Swiss world No 3 blunted the powerful serving of Isner with a controlled display, edging the American 9-7 in the first set tie-break then breaking him twice in the second set to triumph in one hour and 21 minutes.

Federer clinched the title when the towering Isner, who upset world No 1 Serb Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, dumped a forehand into the net.

The Swiss, who had won three consecutive titles at Indian Wells from 2004-06, raised both arms in celebration as the capacity crowd at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden erupted in applause.

“It’s been a tough tournament for all of the players with a lot of sickness,” Federer said in a courtside interview, referring to the viral infection that forced eight withdrawals in the first week. “I’m happy I survived the early rounds to give myself a chance. I couldn’t be happier.”

The 30-year-old Swiss had crushed his long-time rival Rafa Nadal 6-3, 6-4 in the semis. And, on a cool afternoon in the California desert, the opening set went with serve until the 12th game when Federer, leading 6-5, had a chance to break Isner when the American hit a forehand long to advantage down.

However, the 6ft 9in Isner saved that with a 129mph serve to force a Federer error and the set went into a nail-biting tie-break where the Swiss squandered further set points when leading 6-5 and 7-6. He finally clinched the set on his fourth opportunity when an Isner backhand service return flew long.

Federer then broke Isner in the seventh game of the second, unleashing a trademark backhand pass down the line to go 15-40 up before winning the next point when the American netted a backhand volley. After holding serve to lead 5-3, the 16-times grand slam champion broke Isner for a second time to end the match, improving his record for the year to 22-2.

Since his semi-final loss to Djokovic at last year’s US Open, Federer has been arguably the hottest player on the men’s circuit, winning 39 of his 41 matches.

Meanwhile, world No 1 Victoria Azarenka clinched her fourth title of the year with a ruthless 6-2, 6-3 demolition of Maria Sharapova in the women’s final.

The Belarusian broke Sharapova twice in the opening set and four times in the second to seal victory in one hour, 26 minutes on the showpiece stadium court. Although Azarenka faced a little more resistance from Sharapova late in the second set, she held off the Russian’s fightback and ended the match with a probing backhand which forced a desperate lob that floated long.

The Australian Open champion improved her unbeaten record this year to 23-0.