Juan Martin del Potro has ended Roger Federer’s unbeaten start to the year with a marathon 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(2), victory to claim his first ever Masters 1000 title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
The pulsating 262-minute encounter saw both men at their best as they expressed their frustration. Throughout the match, Del Potro complained about members of the crowd trying to deliberately interrupt his service motion. Meanwhile, an animated Federer was bemused by several decisions made by the umpire. Despite the controversy, Del Potro managed to prevail with the help of 51 winners to lift his biggest title since the 2009 US Open and his first Masters title at the age of 29.
“I’m still shaking.” Del Potro said minutes after his victory. “I cannot believe that I am here with this trophy. Beating Roger, I was really angry after the second set, but I was lucky in the last tiebreaker to play well.”
Despite being a former grand slam champion, the world No.8 entered the final as the underdog. In their seven previous meetings in Masters tournaments, Del Potro has lost all of them to Federer. Including their 2012 Indian Wells clash where he only won five games. Furthermore, Federer was relishing in his best ever start to the season at the age of 36 with a 17-match winning streak.
From the onset Del Potro appeared to be the better of the two men. Settling into the match instantly by displaying some solid defensive play alongside some monstrous forehand shots. In contrast, Federer appeared tentative on the court as he showed glimmers of his patchy play similar to his semi-final win over Borna Coric. Against the Croat he survived, but not against his latest opponent. Who contemplated retirement a couple years ago.
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A relentless Del Potro grabbed his first breakthrough five games into the match. A lacklustre service game, featuring back-to-back Federer errors, granted the sixth seed the break for 3-2. Firmly in control of proceedings, Del Potro continued to dominate the set emphatically. Winning 12 straight points to seal the 6-4 lead. Hitting 10 winners to only 3 unforced errors. A stark contrast to Federer’s 11 and 11.
Only six games away from the biggest title of his career, the win was by no means a foregone conclusion for the 29-year-old. On seven previous occasions the Argentine has won the opening set against Federer before losing. This time however Del Potro refused to relinquish his momentum as both players delighted the crowd with an array of gut-busting rallies. Although it was a far from simple process.
STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING!@rogerfederer & @delpotrojuan, that is just spectacular! 😍👏 👏#BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/dOYMBEBhpl
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 18 March 2018
With little disparity between the two players, both of them remained resilient. The second set saw eight tense games go by with no break points before Del Potro faced his first real test. Serving 4-5, a forehand error granted Federer two set points. Nevertheless, he refused to back down as another lightning forehand winner help guide him to save both break points before drawing level at 5-5.
Anger and frustration erupt
With everything to play for, the second set tiebreaker was one of the most dramatic moments of the entire tournament this year. Both Federer and Del Potro complained to the match umpire as the animated crowd prompted frustration from both with their calling out.
It seemed as if Federer would clinch it with ease before three set points came and went. Leading 6-5, a serve from the Swiss player was called in before a hawk-eye challenge from his rival ruled it out. Prompting the world No.1 to hit a double fault. Three points later Del Potro earned his first championship point with the help of a 110mph second serve, but failed to convert due to a forehand error. It wasn’t until his seventh set point opportunity that Federer prevailed after a backhand error from Del Potro landed out.
"The people are screaming when I miss a first serve!" Juan Martin del Potro imploring Fergus Murphy between sets to continue chiding the pro-Federer crowd for its unruliness, even if it seems to be having little effect.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) March 18, 2018
Opportunities continued to come and go for both men in the decider. First, it was Federer who had a trio of match points whilst leading 5-4, but failed to convert all of them. The inability to capitalize was one that cost the Swiss No.1. As Federer faded during the closing stages of the match, Del Potro dominated the second tiebreaker. Racing to a further five match points with little difficulty. The win was then sealed with the help of a forehand shank from his rival.
“Juan Martin, well done today. It was a tough match, but well done you deserve it.” A disappointed Federer said in tribute to his opponent.
“You were the much better player at the end. There wasn’t much between us, but you served it (the win).”
Del Potro is the first Argentine winner in the history of the Indian Wells tournament. He is also the first South American champion since Marcelo Rio back in 1998. The triumph has denied Federer a record sixth title at the event as the world No.1 focuses on the positives.
“I’m so happy to be here, except for the losing part. It’s tough, but I’m so happy to be back in the finals here at Indian Wells. I had a great run again this week.” He said.
It is the first time that Del Potro has defeated the 20-time grand slam champion since the 2009 US Open. He will take home $1.3 million in prize money.
