Federer and Nadal Breeze Into Indian Wells Fourth Round

March 18, 2015 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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Photo credit: USTA

Roger Federer exacted some revenge on Italian Andreas Seppi at the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday, defeating him 6-3, 6-4 in a rematch of the Swiss’ defeat at the hands of Seppi in January’s Australian Open.

Seppi struggled with his serve as Federer gave himself 12 break point chances throughout the match. While he was only able to convert three of them, it was enough to gain the advantage in each set.

On his serve, Federer surrendered just two break point opportunities.

“I don’t think we both played very well tonight,” said Federer after the match. “We both struggled with the conditions, the balls. I think it’s tough to get a hold of them, the right way with the right spin. Maybe as you move along the tournament, hopefully it’s going to get better for me and for any player. It’s one of those matches you’re happy you’re through, and I was happy it was over.”

Federer will look to build on his performance when he takes on American Jack Sock in the fourth-round. Sock notched a very nice win on Tuesday, defeating 15th seed Roberto Bautista-Agut 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

“It’s obviously not ideal to have slower starts or get down a set, but to get back, it only helps the confidence and then obviously helps the tennis in my game as well to have some more time out there and be able to rep some more shots,” said Sock, who is playing in first tournament of 2015. “I think I have a game plan going in and maybe not executing it to the best of my ability at the beginning. But I just think as long as I stick to it I have a good chance. I was happy to get through the first few and now I feel pretty good.”

Sock was the lone American on the men’s side to advance on Tuesday as Donald Young and Steve Johnson were both eliminated.

Young was ousted by third-seed Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard cruised past Young 6-4, 6-2, converting on six of eight break point chances to advance in one hour and 20 minutes.

Nadal will take on 13th seed Gilles Simon of France, who took out Germany’s Michael Berrer 6-2, 7-5.

“I’m happy to be in the fourth-round,” said Nadal. “That’s positive news for me, winning two matches. Tomorrow I have a tough match against Simon. He’s tough; a good player. He started playing the season well. He’s a player that gives you a little more rhythm than Donald Young.”

Johnson was bested by ninth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych, who rolled past the American 6-4, 6-2 to move into the fourth-round.

“It was a good match today,” said Berdych. “It was the first time to play Stevie, and it’s not easy to play a guy for the first time that you don’t know, but I managed well. I played some good tennis, and I stuck with my game plan, which was the key of today’s game.”

Berdych fired seven aces and broke Johnson’s serve four times to cruise in straight sets.

He will take on fellow Czech Lukas Rosol in the next stage. The 27th seed Rosol hung on to beat Robin Haase 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(3) and advance.

In a minor upset, 17th seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo took out 11th seeded Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 1-6, 7-5. Dimitrov double-faulted twice in the final game to give Robredo the break point and push him into the fourth-round.

The 32-year old will meet sixth-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic next. Raonic disposed of Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-6(2), 6-4 on Tuesday.

The fourth-round action on the men’s side gets underway today in Indian Wells, headlined by 19th seeded American John Isner seeking a statement win over world number one Novak Djokovic. 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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