It will be a blockbuster BNP Paribas Open final between Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro after they got through vastly different semifinal matches on Saturday afternoon. Federer came back from countless deficits to survive Borna Coric 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, while Del Potro erased Milos Raonic 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and five minutes.
In the first semifinal, Coric put forth a spirited effort but could not quite get across the finish line for what would have been the biggest win of his career. The 21-year-old Croat led by a break in the second set after taking the first and he twice led by a break in the third. Federer, however, stared down a 4-3 hole in the decider and promptly responded by winning the last 11 points of the match–breaking at 3-4 and 5-4.
“I think (I was) trying to understand Borna’s play, because he absorbs a lot of power very easily,” Federer said of his struggles. “He’s a great retriever. It became a bit of a cat-and-mouse game. And when you’re thinking you can play offense all the time and then he catches you off guard and you have to go back into defense, I felt like maybe in the beginning it wasn’t happening naturally.”
“It was a great match, definitely,” Coric commented. “I was really surprised how well I played, how much pressure I was putting on him, and I was also enjoying it. I think I was pushing him to the limits. He pushed me to the limits, for sure.
“It was very enjoyable, but at the same time it was tough. It doesn’t feel great to lose this match, but I know that’s tennis. I need to look at it from the positive side–just the whole tournament, and this match as well.”
Del Potro’s tournament is still alive and well, and it has been more impressive than anyone else’s. It continued in grand fashion on Saturday, when the 29-year-old Argentine trounced Raonic in swift and decisive style. Del Potro dropped a mere eight points in eight service games and converted a four of five break-point opportunities.
“I broke his serve very quick in both sets,” the world No. 8 reflected. “That give me the control of the match. I played a smart match, because the conditions were tough to play in. I served well. I took all my chances. It was an easier match than what I expected.”
Semifinal highlights:
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who ya got?
Hard to gauge much from their semi-finals. Coric played mostly terrific, whereas Raonic was a shadow of his former self. What happened to the pace on the Raonic serve? Again tougher opponents (Mayer and Kohlschreiber), Delpo has not been able to dominate.
I think Fed will move Delpo around quite a bit, and win points on serve more easily than he did against Coric. Juan Martin is going to have to serve huge and hit his FH huge to have a good chance of victory, imo. Fed in 2, with no tiebreaks.
Fed in three
Roger can change his playing style from an ultra aggressive to wait-and-watch, and Coric cannot. That was essentially the difference in the semis. However Juan Martin is a different animal and can bludgeon even Federer with that forehand if Roger is not on his A game. …… http://www.138mph.com/indian-wells-tennis-roger-federer-wins-ugly-against-borna-coric-to-set-up-the-final-against-juan-martin-del-potro/
Hope this match lives up to expectations. Would love to see delpo lift his first Master’s title after all his injury problems but fear he will be thwarted by the wily Maestro.
Doubt it ed.
A top player is always going to expose Del Potro’s compromised backhand.
Amazing that he’s never won a masters title.
Fed in two.
Nice to see you posting ed. Hope all is well.
Just back from wintering in Spain. Glad to be back home in Honfleur. At least Delpo is making a match of it even though there is an air of inevitability about the outcome 🙁
# while the cats are away the mice will play
Hey ed. I’m looking for alternate vacation from the US, our regular spot.
Been to Barcelona on business which is great.
Where would you suggest in Spain with beaches but not too touristy?