Google News Indian Wells Flashback: Roger Federer matches Rafael Nadal and writes history
by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 1947
Roger Federer made a shaky start to the season in 2012 before finding his A-game in Rotterdam and Dubai. The Swiss found the rhythm ahead of Indian Wells and wrote history books in the desert, becoming the first player with four titles.
Roger struggled a bit against Milos Raonic and Thomaz Bellucci before settling into a fine rhythm. Federer took down Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal to advance into the final, seeking his first Indian Wells crown since 2006.
In the other semi-final, John Isner prevailed over Novak Djokovic to join the Swiss in the title clash. Roger beat John 7-6, 6-3 for his 19th Masters 1000 crown, matching Rafael Nadal and becoming the most successful player in the desert.
Federer sealed the deal in an hour and 22 minutes and scored his third victory over Isner in four encounters. The American defeated the Swiss in the Davis Cup on clay in February. However, he could not repeat the same in California, taking only nine points on the return and suffering two breaks in set number two to finish runner-up.
Roger Federer claimed his 19th Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells 2012.
Federer controlled the pace with almost 30 winners and 15 unforced errors. He reduced his opponent to only four aces, leaving him far behind in the more advanced rallies to bring the victory home in straight sets.
John had 23 service winners, but that was everything he showed that day. The American battled to stay in touch in the opener and lost ground completely in set number two to hand the trophy to the Swiss. Federer held at love with an ace in the encounter's first game before offering two break chances to John in game three.
The Swiss fended off both following backhand mistakes from the American before repelling another one with a smash winner to avoid an early setback. Nothing could separate them until the 12th game when Isner faced a set point.
He fired a service winner to stay alive and closed the game with another to reach a tie break. We saw four straight mini-breaks before Federer grabbed another at 5-5, squandering the first set point after a backhand error to keep Isner in contention.
The Swiss wasted the second set point thanks to a loose forehand but made no mistakes in the next point. He placed a backhand lob winner, moving 8-7 up and seizing the fourth set point for massive momentum. They stayed in touch until 3-3 in set number two when Roger pulled the trigger.
Federer secured a break in game seven and held at 15 in the next one to forge a 5-3 advantage. Serving to stay in the match, Isner netted a forehand in the ninth game to lose serve for the second time and propel Federer over the finish line and toward his fourth Indian Wells crown.
