Indian Wells: Federer loses to Juan Martin Del Porto

“Well, I’m still shaking”. Federer, unbeaten in 2018, then served for the title himself at 5-4 in the third set with del Potro still ruing his missed match point.

“I’m so happy to win a title like this”, Del Potro told the ATP website, dedicating his maiden Masters 1000 victory to his beloved dog Cesar who recently passed away.

“I mean, it’s my shot, you know”, he said. “You’re very special, I share this trophy with you”. “I never miss that forehand”. Last year, he put together a thrilling run at the US Open that included upsetting Federer in the quarterfinals in the semifinals. Though he seems young, the Argentine is already almost 30-years-old. The Argentinian hit three forehand winners and three backhand winners (including one return), while committing just six total groundstroke and return errors to Federer’s nine.

The living legend moved to 17-1 on the year, coming up just short in his bid for a third title, after losing to del Potro, 6-4, 6-7 (8-10), 7-6 (7-2).

Women: Naomi Osaka bt Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-2.

It was a memorable contest, which saw Argentina’s Del Potro waste a match point in a second-set tie-break, though he remained focused to notch just his seventh win in 25 attempts against Federer. Federer then double faulted, allowing del Potro to save three set-points and set-up his first match point. By doing so, he became the first player to beat the World No.1 in 2018.

Matches Juan Martin del Potro has won on the trot.

Federer’s attention will need to switch quickly to the next event on the tour, the Miami Open, which begins on Wednesday.

Federer was annoyed with the result, as the umpire regularly intervened during the match. And del Potro slammed the ball into the net.

It was a tense battle between the pair with both letting their tempers get the better of them throughout the match.

When Federer’s final shot landed long, del Potro struck the ball high into the stands straight off the bounce to celebrate. But a strong serve-forehand combo helped Del Potro out of trouble. Even fewer when Federer held two match points up 40-15.

Del Potro lost in round three of this year’s Australian Open to former top-10 player Tomas Berdych.

Del Potro raced to a 5-0 lead in the breaker and got match points at 6-1. Just focus one point at a time. I won the Davis Cup and I say, Okay, I don’t have any more pressure to play tennis because I won everything what I wanted except Masters 1000 (smiling), but today I did.

Roger Federer is yet to decide on his clay-court campaign but the world number one is already sensing a “great season”.

For now, if he wants it, Juan Martin del Potro has earned a week off. Winning doesn’t happen evenly all over the court as much we think.