ATP Indian Wells: Federer and Nadal open title hunt
Superstars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal open the hunt for the first Masters 1000 trophy of the year on Sunday (local time). Both Federer and Nadal feel particularly at home in Indian Wells - as evidenced by a look back in time.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Mar 10, 2019, 09:15 am
Federer has triumphed five times in the California desert. In 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012 and 2017, the Swiss won the title in Indian Wells - a record that Federer shares with Novak Djokovic. The chances of a sixth triumph for the 37-year-old are not too bad after winning in Dubai.
"The only problem could be that my opponents are on fire. Otherwise I don't see any alarm signals," said Federer. The first opponent in Indian Wells will be German Peter Gojowczyk. In the first round, the 29-year-old prevailed against Andreas Seppi from Italy, with the Maestro waiting for the world ranking 85. but now probably the greatest of all tasks. In the head to head of the two Federer leads 1-0.
Nadal first against Donaldson
Rafael Nadal will also start his Indian Wells campaign on Sunday. After a walk-through in the first round, the Spaniard first meets the American Jared Donaldson, whom he clearly defeated in two sets in the only duel in Shanghai in 2017.
In Indian Wells, "Rafa" feels very much like his permanent rival Roger Federer. "I love the peace and quiet we have here in the desert. The organization is also one of the best," explains the Mallorcan, who has won the event three times so far. In 2007, 2009 and 2013, Nadal won the first ATP 1000 tournament of the year.
It remains to be seen whether one of the two veterans will win in the coming week. A real test could be waiting for Federer in the third round with Stan Wawrinka, Nadal could face John Isner, who is traditionally strong in Indian Wells, in the quarterfinals. A direct duel between Federer and Nadal would only take place in the semi-finals - it would be the first in almost a year and a half.