It’s Federer no.90!

By
Mark Hall
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Roger Federer surprises again after winning his 90th title in Indian Wells.

The Maestro insisted that he thought he was ready to compete at the top only in April, but he exceeded his expectations, and his plan went (sort of)  went belly up after he won the Australian Open and Indian Wells!

The Swiss triumphed in the desert without conceding a single set on the way.

The final vs. Wawrinka

Roger had to play his dear friend Stan Wawrinka in the final. Even if Stan was ranked no.3 in the world, it was evident from the very beginning that Roger was the favorite for the title. The Maestro started the contest in style to win the opening set 6-4 after conceding just 4 points on his serve. Wawrinka played an excellent 1st set, but again Roger was too sharp.

Things got different in the second set when the Maestro lost his serve in the very first game (credit to Wawrinka). Stan held his serve after a big struggle (0-2), but then the Maestro conquered the following three games after breaking Wawrinka in the third game. From that moment on it was a rough battle, but Roger found the solution in the 12th game to win the match 6-4 7-5 after just 78 minutes.

    


 

The “asshole gate.”

After the final, even if Wawrinka had problems in holding his tears, he found the time to joke with Roger during the on-court speech “I’m sorry, I’m just tired after ten days. I’m sorry. I would like to congratulate Roger. He’s laughing; he’s an asshole, but it is OK. I’ve lost some tough ones against you, but when you played the final in Australia, I was still your biggest fan. So, congratulations on your comeback and congratulations on today.”

Soon after, Roger commented about Stan’s joke to say that he was called an “asshole” many times, so… “That’s why I take it as a compliment. There’s not always cameras around, so I get called that sometimes. Quite often, actually. On the court is the first time, but it felt good.”

 

This is Roger’s 90th title, his 25th ATP1000, and his 22nd after turning 20. After this title, Federer will be ranked no.6, and he will consolidate his leadership in the year to date rankings. Roger has a clear shot at becoming the new world no.1 later in the season if he keeps on delivering these results.

 

THE KING