By Daily Sports on March 18, 2018
World No. 1 Roger Federer and the defending champion, will be aiming for a record sixth Indian Wells title when he squares off against world number eight Juan Martin Del Potro in Sunday’s championship match.
The fixture will climax another riveting match between Daria Kasatkina and Naomi Osaka, both twenty-years old, who will slug it out in the finals of the women’s category.
The 36-year-old Federer, who has extended his winning streak to 17 matches after beating Borna Coric in three thrilling sets, said he is expecting another gruelling war of attrition with the Argentinian.
“We have had a lot of close matches. Big matches, close matches,” he said. “Jeez, I just tried to think back at the French Open semis, US Open finals, Olympic semis, Basel finals. Just three-setters, five-setters the whole way,” said Federer.
Del Potro said he will be the underdog against Federer.
“He’s the favourite to win tomorrow,” Del Potro said. “But I beat him in the past, and I know I can repeat that. But it is not easy.”
Del Potro, a former US Open champion, improved to 16-3 on the season as he stormed past the hard-serving Canadian Milos Raonic 6-2, 6-3 in just 65 minutes.
Del Potro is looking for his 22nd career and second straight ATP title in a row after winning earlier this month in Acapulco where he beat three top eight players in a row.
“I broke his serve quick in both sets and that gave me control of the match,” said Del Potro. “It was an easier match than I expected.”
Federer is 18-6 lifetime against Del Potro, having rallied to win the last two contests in three sets, including a 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-3 victory in the championship game last year in Federer’s hometown of Basel. (NAN)
•Photo shows World No. 1 Roger Federer
Source Daily Sports
Posted March 18, 2018
You may also like...
Omonia Sign Shehu Abdullahi On A Two-Year Deal...
Modric signs one-year extension with Real Madrid
Benin Warriors, BJ Foundation get invitation to Gen....
BREAKING NEWS: Messi to leave Barcelona
Robben eyes second Champions League Glory
Europa League: Manchester United, Alkmaar Part Goalless

Khan warns Paul ahead ‘life-threatening’ Joshua fight
Emery's perseverance & belief key to Villa resurgence
Agu backs Okoye for Eagles No. 1 spot
PFL contract ends soon - Ngannou
'No-one downing tools' - Alonso's stay of execution despite loss to Man City
Zaha in Ivory Coast Afcon squad but Adingra left out
UCL: Mbappé doubtful for Manchester City clash after missing training
'Give Alonso time' - but Man City visit could be pivotal
Fifa accused of breaching own rules with Trump award
Son, Simons and mini Spurs revival lift Frank's spirits
Finidi challenges Rivers United players’ mentality
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,402 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,646 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,587 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,220 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,194 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,105 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,950 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,534 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,676 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,224 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,618 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,090 views)