Google News Indian Wells Flashback: Roger Federer's incredible streak ends versus Guillermo Canas
by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 3253
Roger Federer sought his fourth consecutive Indian Wells title in 2007. The Swiss star came to the desert with career-best 41 straight wins under his belt before a lucky loser Guillermo Canas stunned him 7-5, 6-2 in the second round! Federer claimed Wimbledon and the Canada Masters in the summer of 2006 before losing to Andy Murray in Cincinnati. Roger bounced back and conquered the remaining five titles by the end of the season, embracing a notable streak and extending it at the beginning of 2007.
World no. 1 dominated the Australian Open and Dubai, heading to Indian Wells as the favorite. The Swiss was free in the opening round and faced a lucky loser Guillermo Canas in the second. The Argentine delivered a stunning 7-5, 6-2 victory in an hour and 45 minutes, earning his career-best triumph and providing Roger's first loss since August last year!
It was their third meeting and the second win for Canas, who toppled Roger at the Canada Masters five years ago.
Guillermo Canas stunned world no. 1 Roger Federer in Indian Wells 2007.
Guillermo defended the second serve more effectively and outplayed Roger from the baseline to score one of the season's most shocking results.
The Argentine saved two out of three break points and stole the Swiss' serve four times from seven opportunities to emerge at the top. Canas tamed his strokes nicely, while Federer sprayed too many errors, unable to bring his usual rhythm and impose his strokes.
Roger hit a forced error at 2-2 in the opener to lose serve and fall behind. Federer pulled it back in the next game at love and locked the result at 3-3. Things could have been different had Roger managed to convert a set point on the return in game ten.
Instead, he netted an easy forehand and wasted another set point a few minutes later before Guillermo finally held after a backhand error from his rival. Federer squandered a game point at 5-5 with another forehand mistake and got broken when his backhand found the net to send Canas 6-5 ahead.
The Argentine closed the opener with a forehand winner after 56 minutes, and Roger received medical treatment on his right foot in the pause between sets. Carried by this momentum, Guillermo broke Roger in the second set's third game and held after a few deuces in game six to forge a 4-2 lead.
A forehand winner in game seven sealed the deal for the Argentine, moving two breaks up and closer to the finish line. Canas served for the victory at 5-2 and produced a fine hold to emerge at the top following Federer's forced error. Thus, the Argentine scored a career-best win after serving a 15-month doping ban.
