ThrowbackTimes Indian Wells: Roger Federer storms over Guillermo Canas in 73 minutes

• Tennis News
• Roger Federer

Roger Federer conquered the tennis world in 2004, distancing himself from all the rivals and hoping for more of the same in the upcoming season. The Swiss stormed over the opponents in Doha at the beginning of 2005 and lost the Australian Open crown to Marat Safin after that thrilling semi-final clash before lifting the trophy in Rotterdam and Dubai, standing as the favorite in Indian Wells.

Roger prevailed against his current coach Ivan Ljubicic in two tie breaks in the fourth round in the desert, scoring three more comfortable victories in other matches to reach the semi-final, facing the Argentine Guillermo Canas in the battle for the final.

Three years earlier, Canas toppled young Federer at Canada Masters but stood no chance in this one, as Roger grabbed a 6-3, 6-1 win in an hour and 13 minutes. The defending champion controlled the pace with 23 winners and 17 unforced errors, having the upper hand in both the shortest and more advanced rallies to stay in front and bring the triumph home.

Federer stole more than half of the return points, created ten break chances and converted five to hold the strings of the clash in his hands, facing two break points and getting broken once.

Roger Federer defeated Guillermo Canas in 2005 Indian Wells semi-final.

The favorite kicked off the action with a service winner in the opening game and fended off a break chance in the third game with a sharp forehand winner before securing a break in the next one to open a 3-1 gap.

The Argentine broke back after forcing an error from the Swiss a couple of minutes later, reducing the deficit and leveling the score at 3-3 to stay in touch with world no. 1. Federer held after deuce in game seven and broke Canas to open another lead, clinching the opener with a hold at 15 in game nine for 6-3 after 42 minutes.

With the momentum on his side, Roger grabbed a break in the second set's first game, cemented it with a volley winner and moved 3-1 in front with three service winners in the fourth game. Finding his range, the Swiss landed a forehand winner to deliver another break, held at 30 in game six and sealed the deal with another successful return game at 5-1 that propel himself into the final, taking nine of the last ten games to race over the finish line.