You can read a full report from today’s finals here:
Well, Del Potro inflicts the first defeat of Federer’s season. The Argentinian was the better player in the first set, the Swiss better in the second and much of the third. Both men got tetchy in the final stanza but it was Del Potro who kept the coolest and two surprising double faults from Federer were the difference. Few would begrudge Del Potro, one of the gentlemen of the tour, his win.
Del Potro speaks
I’m still shaking, I’m so nervous. I was thinking [about missing match points]. I played really well in the [third set] tiebreak ... It’s like a dream after all my problems and surgeries. I’m excited to keep surprising the Tour.
Well, I thought Delpo had blown that after missing championship points earlier but that long semi-final may have taken its toll on Roger. He cracked in the tiebreak, serving two double faults.
Del Potro wins Indian Wells, beating Roger Federer 6-4, 6-7, 7-6!
Federer breaks back but it’s still advantage Del Potro, who is on his own serve at 6-2. And Federere sends his return long! That’s his first Masters title.
Third set tiebreak: Federer 1-6 Del Potro
Roger double faults for the second time this tiebreak gives Del Potro championship points.
Third set tiebreak: Federer 1-5 Del Potro
First point for Federer this tiebreak after Delpo nets. Federer hasn’t lost a match in 108 days, ESPN tells us.
Third set tiebreak: Federer 0-5 Del Potro
Let’s see if Federer can claw anything back. Not with this first point, he gets Delpo out of position but when he goes for the kill he sends the ball wide. Another long forehand and Del Potro must win now, surely?
Third set tiebreak: Federer 0-3 Del Potro
Federer’s serves now. Is this a double fault? It is! Ooof. Even the greats feel pressure. Then a brilliant return wrongfoots Federer and Delpo has a BIG advantage.
Third set tiebreak: Federer 0-1 Del Potro
Delpo serves first and Roger sends his return long.
Third set: *Federer 4-6, 7-6, 6-6 Del Potro (* denotes server)
If Federer is affected by missing those championship points he doesn’t show it as he serves to stay in the match. An easy hold and a tiebreak will decide the title.
Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-6, 5-6 Del Potro* (* denotes server)
Roger is not happy. He’s muttering about ball changes or some such. The match creaks past the two hour and 30 minute mark. Federer has a chance to put Delpo away at 30-15 but he leaves enough for the Argentinian to whizz the ball down the line. Federer must hold now.
Third set: *Federer 4-6, 7-6, 5-5 Del Potro (* denotes server)
So, here we go. Federer serving for the title on a Sunday afternoon. Again. A weird whipped ace down the middle - he seemed to his it almost horizontal - brings up two championship points. Del Potro saves the first. The crowd thinks he’s won with an ace but it went wide and their whoops turn to sighs. And Delpo saves again to take us to deuce. Then a mishit from Federer gives Del Potro a break point. This wasn’t in the script. He has Federer on the ropes - or appears to but a drop shot isn’t quite deep enough and Federer whacks a forehand into Delpo’s legs to take us back to deuce. The Argentinian gives his friend a good hard stare for that. Delpo saves another championship point when Federer’s drop shot doesn’t do enough damage and another mishit from Federer gives Delpo a break point - it was bad enough that it struggled to stay in the stadium.
Then ... a crushing forehand from Delpo breaks. It was 105mph and Federer simply misses it. Even the pro-Federer crowd applauds.
Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-6, 5-4 Del Potro* (* denotes server)
Serving has been pretty easy for both men this set but Roger provides a bit of pressure to Delpo’s in this game. Did I say a bit? I meant a lot: he draws Delpo to the net and then stretches for an overhead winner and he has a break point at 30-40. The Argentinian saves but Roger has him at advantage and then a lovely backhand means Federer will serve for the title - he’s done this before, you know.
Third set: *Federer 4-6, 7-6, 4-4 Del Potro (* denotes server)
A HUGE forehand from Del Potro, one of the best of the match, is too good for Federere. And if it’s too good for him it’s too good for everyone. Anyway, Federer dominates teh rest of the game.
Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-6, 3-4 Del Potro* (* denotes server)
Sometimes looking at Del Potro makes me sad. I know he’s not unhappy and it’s just his natural resting face but he does look like he could do with a big hug when he’s out on court. This should cheer him up: he holds to love.
Third set: *Federer 4-6, 7-6, 3-3 Del Potro (* denotes server)
If I was to estimate how many of the crowd want Federer to win I would say ... all of them. There haven’t been to many aces today but a crushing one from Federer helps him to an easy hold.
Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-6, 2-3 Del Potro* (* denotes server)
Federer has a 0-30 lead against a disjointed Del Potro. Or at least he looked sluggish until a few winners win him the game.
Third set: *Federer 4-6, 7-6, 2-2 Del Potro (* denotes server)
A little exchange at the net gives Federer a 30-0 lead. The rest is pretty simple. Momentum is with Roger against a now subdued Del Potro.
Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-6, 1-2 *Del Potro (* denotes server)
This is Del Potro’s fourth Masters final and he’s never won one. Some booming baseline shots wins the opening point of the game. He’s become a little more aggressive, and a little more ragged as the match has worn on. He holds though.
Third set: *Federer 4-6, 7-6, 1-1 Del Potro (* denotes server)
Delpo has had a word with the umpire - about the crowd. He says the pro-Federer crowd are shouting out during his serves to put him off. The umpire says he’s trying his best but it’s hard to quieten a Roger fan. A nice overhead makes him feel better as we meander towards 30-30. But a beautiful drop shot from Federer helps him to hold.
Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-6, 0-1 *Del Potro (* denotes server)
And so we’re on to a decider. Del Potro gets off to a shaky start, understandable after having a good glimpse of the title. Federer takes him to deuce Delpo holds ... just.
Simon McMahon writes in: “Love the tennis, and Del Potro, one of the good guys - who can forget his Olympic final against Murray? I miss Andy, as does tennis. Federer quite suits his beard though, should’ve worn one earlier. But headbands are for the Borg / McEnroe era only.” Agreed how could Roger’s well-paid stylists miss the fact that he looks good in a beard before. Shoddy work.
Federer wins second set 7-6. Match level at one-set all
This just got very interesting. And both players look pretty angry. Roger at perceived bad calls from the umpire and Del Potro at missing out on match point.
Second set tiebreak: Federer 9-8 Del Potro
Roger’s fluffed return gives Delpo championship point on Federer’s serve. The Swiss serves long on the first but Delpo thrashes the second into the net - he rushed too much there. Roger then has Delpo running around and the Argentinian sends a forehand long.
Second set tiebreak: Federer 7-7 Del Potro
Roger - and everyone else thinks he’s won the set - but Hawkeye gives the point to Delpo! We’re back on serve! Federer is unhappy fans got up to leave thinking the set was over. That anger follows through to a big ace to give him a 7-6 advantage. Delpo’s big serve into Roger’s body levels things up.
Second set tiebreak: Federer 6-5 Del Potro
Del Potro holds with an awkward serve that Federer doesn’t quite catch hold of.
Second set tiebreak: Federer 6-3 Del Potro
Roger returns a seemingly returnable forehand and then passes Del Potro. Federer firmly in control as the players change ends.
Second set tiebreak: Federer 4-3 Del Potro
An ace from Delpo but Federer challenges angrily. Hawkeye has it clipping the line: and Federer is NOT happy at the technology. Del Potro is having a little trouble with his ball toss and Federer exploits a poor serve to take a break.
Second set tiebreak: Federer 3-2 Del Potro
Let’s see how Roger does on his second serve. Not too bad, it’s deep and Del Potro sends a forehand long. A volley puts him 3-2 up.
Second set tiebreak: Federer 1-2 Del Potro
Delpo has won four of his last five tiebreaks against Federer and holds his first two points, one on second serve.
Second set tiebreak: Federer 1-0 Del Potro
Roger holds the opening point.
Second set: Federer 4-6, 6-6 Del Potro* (* denotes server)
Del Potro clips the line with a volley that had looked like it was going wide. A big difference between 0-15 and 15-0 when you’re serving to stay in the set. He looks pretty calm from then on: the most casual of forehand winners takes him to 40-0 and it’s easy from there. We have a tiebreak!
Second set: *Federer 4-6, 6-5 Del Potro (* denotes server)
Federer opens with a beautiful winner and Del Potro hits back with an even better one: a flat skidding forehand. Roger is getting irritated with something - although it appears to be with the umpire telling the crowd to keep quiet. Not that playing angry is necessarily a bad tactic. Roger is guaranteed at least a tiebreak after holding.
Second set: Federer 4-6, 5-5 Del Potro* (* denotes server)
Del Potro serves to stay in the set - and he’s serving in to the sun. And it’s first blood to Roger, he lures his opponent to the net with a drop shot and then powers a forehand winner down the line: 0-15. The Swiss then scuttles into the net and puts away a volley for a 15-30 lead. For the first time Delpo looks vulnerable: a forehand goes long and Roger has his first break points of the match. And what a time to get them. Del Potro saves the first one with a whipped forehand winner with not much to space to work with. Then a strong serve gives him the momentum in the rally and Roger sends a forehand wide. After a little wobble at deuce Delpo holds. Oddly, it’s Del Potro who has looked like the grizzled veteran in this match.
Second set: *Federer 4-6, 5-4 Del Potro (* denotes server)
Federer looks like he’s headed for the hold before a rare risky winner from Delpo takes us to 40-30. Roger does end up holding though.
Second set: Federer 4-6, 4-4 Del Potro* (* denotes server)
Our first longish rally in a while and it goes the way of Federer, who has been successful when he’s kept the ball in play today. That makes his attack tactics a little more questionable this afternoon. Then again he’s the greatest male player of all time, so maybe he knows more than me. Delpo has the game under control at 40-15 before a very lame backhand gives Roger a chance. The Argentinian shuts off any thought of insurrection with a booming serve to hold.
Second set: *Federer 4-6, 4-3 Del Potro (* denotes server)
Roger looks frustrated and even a nice set of winners don’t seem to cheer him up - but he does have a comfortable hold, his first in a while.
Second set: Federer 4-6, 3-3 Del Potro* (* denotes server)
A rare loose shot from Delpo - a lazy forehand into the net - gives Federer a 15-30 advantage. But the Swiss can’t seem to put together a string of good shots together today and his 20th unforced error of the match levels the set at 3-3.
Second set: *Federer 4-6, 3-2 Del Potro (* denotes server)
One of those lovely, signature overheads from Roger has Delpo scrambling and the Argentinian can only hit a a weak shot back that the Swiss gobbles up. How we’ll miss that beautiful technique when Federer retires.
Second set: Federer 4-6, 2-2 Del Potro* (* denotes server)
Let’s see if Del Potro can handle this mini-recovery from Roger. The answer appears to be yes as he trots out to a 40-0 lead with very few/absolutely no problems. He’s not doing anything great but he’s not making any mistakes either - nothing for Roger to exploit.
Second set: *Federer 4-6, 2-1 Del Potro (* denotes server)
We have the rally of the match at 30-15. Roger even recovers from a fall midway through but Del Potro has the final say with a volley - can’t recall the Argentinian missing much at the net today. Roger pulls himself together to hold. He’s looked much better over the last three games.
Second set: Federer 4-6, 1-1 Del Potro* (* denotes server)
Federer has 11 unforced errors to Del Potro’s three so far, which says a lot about the game. He’s taken very few risks - and it’s working. Having said that, he pulls off a tweener as he chases down a Roger lob. Federer takes the point with a volley to win his point in 11 attempts on his opponent’s serve. Delpo does go on to hold however.
Second set: *Federer 4-6, 1-0 Del Potro (* denotes server)
Yep, Federer is a little off today. Another lazy forehand drifts long. But then he reminds us he’s Roger Federer and digs out a forehand winner that looks like it’s going to blaze down the line and beyond him. Delpo still has him on the ropes at 15-40 however. Roger saves the first one ... and the second too after a crushing forehand is parried into the net by Del Potro. All this gets Federer stirred up and he yells a “Come on!” as he goes to advantage and then seals the game. Delpo passed up a chance to go a break and a set up.
Del Potro wins the first set 6-4
Del Potro has dominated the set so far without being brilliant - Federer actually leads the winner count 11-10. If anything, Delpo looks like the experienced hand with Federer playing the hit and hope outsider. He clinches the set after Roger sends a forehand long.
First set: *Federer 4-5 Del Potro (*denotes server)
A good game from Federer at last, he holds to love and clinches it with an ace straight down the middle. Can he break to stay in the set though? We’re about to find out.
Updated
First set: Federer 3-5 *Del Potro (*denotes server)
Del Potro is serving very nicely and not trying to hit the ball too hard. Federer just look a little out of rhythm so far - as he did in the semi-final; he may well be feeling the after effects of the long-ish match yesterday. Del Potro holds to love and closes in on a set lead.
First set: *Federer 3-4 Del Potro (*denotes server)
Federer needs an easy hold after after the last two games but he won’t get one from Del Potro, who has won five of the seven second-serve points he’s faced. He does, however, hold after being taken to deuce.
First set: Federer 2-4 *Del Potro (*denotes server)
Federer makes Del Potro run with a mis-hit volley that turns into a kind-of dropshot. Anyway, Delpo can’t get there in time and we’re at 15-30. Honours are evened with a fizzing backhand winner from the Argentinian. Roger battles back to deuce but Del Potro latches on to a forehand early and screws the ball away from his opponent. He then wraps up the game one point later.
First set: *Federer 2-3 Del Potro (*denotes server)
Three breaks points for Del Potro. A wafted backhand drifts wide and we’re at 0-40. Roger then sends another backhand into the net and that’s a very easy break for the Argentinian. In the words of a certain world leader, that was pretty low energy from the Swiss.
First set: Federer 2-2 Del Potro* (*denotes server)
A nice review from Delpo. His serve is called long but on review it actually clipped the line and we’re at 15-15. Two more serves are too much for Federer who gets to them very late and that’s the game. Pretty even so far.
First set: *Federer 2-1 Del Potro (*denotes server)
Rogers twin twins are watching today. So far their dad is being made to work hard for a living. The game is tight at 30-30 before he moves Del Potro about the court and lasers a winner when he spots a gap in the Argentinian’s defence.
First set: Federer 1-1 *Del Potro (*denotes server)
Roger said he would attack in this match and he’s true to his word. He climbs all over a Del Potro serve to bring up an early 0-30 advantage before his opponent claws back a point after dominating at the net. Federer continues to attack through the rest of the game but Del Potro is strong enough on defense to hold him off and level the scores.
First set: *Federer 1-0 Del Potro (*denotes server)
It’s a lovely sunny day in the California desert. The winds that affected the semi-finals are not expected to be a factor either. Federer gets us underway and wins the first point with ease. An ace down the middle takes him to 40-30 and another good serve out wide forces the error from Del Potro.
Updated
Our players are out on court warming up. Marcus Walsh had written in from Helsinki with his opinions on today’s final:
“It will be interesting to see whether Delpo tries something similar to Coric [in the semi-finals]. His problem with copying Coric is that the latter’s backhand is far better and faster, so Delpo cannot put as much pressure on Fed from that side. On the other hand, Delpo has a superior serve to Coric, which will give him the upper hand in his own service games. Beating Fed requires impeccable serving from Delpo in any case.
“Fed for his part hardly hit a drop shot against Coric, who is very quick. Delpo is not, although he moves well for someone nearly 2 m in height, and I expect to see quite a few drop shots tonight. Also for the Fed to come in more to the net than against Coric: he will have spent a lot of energy reserves yesterday and will need a shortish match, or at least short points, to win tonight. A drawn out affair from the baseline will favour Delpo.”
Our finalists speak
Del Potro is first: “I need to play my best tennis today and do everything well and see if I have a chance to win”.
Federer: “It was important to comeback in the semi-finals and be steady and keep the ball in play. Today I’m going to attack the ball more.” He adds that Del Potro is back to the attacking player we saw before wrist problems derailed his career and hits with a lot less slice off his backhand than in recent years.
They’re pulling out all the stops before the final. They have Gladys Knight performing God Bless America on court. Her rendition is excellent, as you’d expect from one of the greatest singers of the past 50 years.
Form matters and Federer has won all of his matches this season, a personal best. Not too shabby for a 36-year-old.
Federer leads this match-up 18-6 has won Indian Wells five times and is, well, Roger Federer. But don’t pencil him in for the title just yet. The Swiss battled past the unseeded Borna Coric in three sets in the semis, while Delpo looked serene in his semi, beating Milos Raonic in two. The Argentinian also beat Federer at the 2009 US Open to win his only grand slam title. I mean, there’s the 18 times Roger has won but why get evidence get in the way of a good story?
The women’s final has just finished with Japan’s Naomi Osaka winning the biggest match of her life. She beat Russia’s Daria Kasatkina in straight sets and will be a little higher (No22) than her current ranking of No44 when they’re updated. With the $1.3m prize for the victory, she will nearly double her career earnings. Federer and Del Potro should be on court in the next 30 minutes or so...
Updated
Tom will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s Federer on whether he’s still hunting the one big title that eludes him: the Olympics singles:
“If I’m still playing, great. But I’m not saying I have to play one more [Olympics] before I retire. If it happens, then it makes sense for me to go play, but it’s too far away. I don’t know what happens then. We’ll see if it works and makes sense. I haven’t put it on the table. It’s not a discussion point, let’s put it that way. When the time is right, I’ll talk about it – and see how I feel in that year. When is it? 2020? It’s so far away. There’s no point to discuss it. Why not – it would be nice ... but I can’t tell you for sure, or not for sure.”
