Djokovic Wins First Title of 2014 in Indian Wells
Steen Kirby, Tennis East Coast
Novak Djokovic captured his first title of the season, and his third Indian Wells title 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) over Roger Federer. Federer had the serve, volley and forehand working in set one, as he was dominating Djokovic out of the gate. But the Serbian would fight back, breaking for 5-3 and holding his serve to force a third set.
In that third set, Djokovic would break early and hold all the way to a 5-3 lead, as he was passing Federer on his volley attempts much better and responding to the serve and volley better than in the first set.
Federer broke back for 5 all to the surprise of many, but didn’t put up much resistance in the tiebreak and Djokovic pulled through.
Novak’s path to the final was a straight set victory over Victor Hanescu, a 3 set win over Alejandro Gonzalez, a 3 set victory over Marin Cilic, a straight set victory over Julian Benneteau and a 3 set victory over John Isner in the semifinals.
Djokovic played some poor sets this week and was tested though never in real trouble, and he was the most dominant player of the tournament.
Federer stretched his win streak to 11 matches before it was snapped in the final. He beat Paul-Henri Mathieu and Dmitry Tursunov in competitive straight set matches, then beat Tommy Haas 4 and 4, Kevin Anderson also in straights and surprise semifinalist Alex Dolgopolov in a straight set blowout.
Federer looked strong this week and continues his great form.
Dolgopolov notably beat Rafael Nadal in the third round.
The Bryans repeated as doubles champions in Indian Wells, defeating Alexander Peya/Bruno Soares in that final, as two doubles specialists’ teams met in the final of a doubles tournament that had many top singles players participating.
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