It is the fourth round match that everybody in Indian Wells wanted and it is the fourth round match that has everybody got.
Roger Federer will resume his rivalry with Rafael Nadal after edging past America’s Steve Johnson 7-6(3), 7-6(4). The 35-year-old was impressive on his serve throughout the encounter as he claimed 87% of his first serves and didn’t face a single break point in the match.
“I was actually quite happy I was able to protect my serve.” Said Federer. “I just thought Stevey served very well. Had chances in the first set to maybe get into better rallies. And if I would have done better there, I could have broken earlier.”
“I was very happy with how I played because I thought he played a really good match.” He added.
Progressing to the fourth round of the tournament for the 11th time in his career, Federer is set for a rematch of this year’s Australian Open final. Wednesday’s clash will be the 36th meeting between the two giants in men’s tennis, but this clash will be different to others. It will be the first time Federer has faced Nadal before the quarter-finals in a tournament since their first ever meeting in 2004. Throughout their rivalry, the two has played each other in 22 finals, including nine grand slams.
“It will feel different. It’s going to be more difficult for both of us just to rip winners into the corner. That’s normal.” He explained. “If you play in the early matches, you see usually the top guys not chase the lines so much. You know, you give yourself some margins for error, really. That’s what it is.”
The prospect of playing a blockbuster match so early in the tournament might concern some, but in Federer’s case it is the reason why he came to California. He currently trails the head-to-head 12-23 against the Spaniard, but he has defeated Nadal in Indian Wells once before (2012 semifinals). Meeting No.36 promises to be as special as their thrilling five-set encounter in Melbourne earlier this year and Federer is eager to continue his winning momentum.
“That’s why I came here, play against guys like Rafa. Now we have it. I’m going to be excited now. I better be excited now. Otherwise I came for the wrong reasons.” He said.
One of the reasons that makes their rival so special is the mutual respect both players has showdown to each other. Following Nadal’s straight sets win over Fernando Verdasco in his third round match, the world No.6 was asked what it was in Federer’s game that makes him so special.
“Everything (he smiled). Yeah, he has the talent to do very difficult things that looks easy. He’s able to take the ball very early, serve and first shot. He create a lot of winners with that.” Said Nadal.
A total of 12 singles matches will take place at the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday, but the focus will just be on one. Federer has described his upcoming clash as ‘a great thing for tennis’ and few will disagree with the 18-time grand slam champion.
The latest instalment of the Federer-Nadal classic is set to get underway from 17:00 (GMT -7).
