Roger Federer outclassed nemesis Rafael Nadal in 68 minutes to enter the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells on Thursday. Federer registered his third straight win over Nadal for the first time when decimated the Spaniard 6-2, 6-3. He last beat him at the Australian Open final, when Federer won his 18th Grand Slam title.
The Federer backhand was at this sublime best as Nadal was caught off-guard on a shot that he built his success on. The Swiss smashed six backhand winners as he played a near to perfection first set 6-2. Another early break in the second set gave Federer the edge he was looking for and he raced through the set to win the match 6-3.
“I did very well today, I’m so pleased I’m able to step into the court and play super aggressive,” said Federer. “Coming over the backhand has been part of that.”
Kyrgios humbles Djokovic
Federer will now face Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, who stunned World No. 2 Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-6 (3). Kyrgios beat Djokovic 7-6(9), 7-5 in their first meeting in Acapulco, making it 2-0 in favour of the 21-year-old. Djokovic, who was on a 19-match winning streak at California, was bidding for a fourth consecutive title. However, Kyrgios made sure that Indian Wells will have a new champion this time.
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