Rafael Nadal breezed into the fourth round at Indian Wells on Tuesday where he was joined by Roger Federer who had to dig deep to fend off rising star Milos Raonic in three sets. Where world number three Federer had to come from behind to beat Canada’s Raonic 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4, his Spanish rival cruised by Marcel Granollers 6-1, 6-4, to extend his winning run against his compatriots to 10 matches.
Nadal will face Alexandr Dolgopolov in the fourth round of the hardcourt tournament in the California desert.
In the women’s draw, defending champion Caroline Wozniacki saw her bid for back-to-back titles fail as she was dumped out 6-3, 6-2 in the night match by former world number one Ana Ivanovic. Federer also appeared to be facing an early exit after losing the first set to Raonic.
But the 30-year-old Swiss, who won three straight Indian Wells titles from 2004-2006, came back to take the next two sets and continue a strong run of form that has seen him take consecutive wins in Rotterdam and Dubai.
Federer, who was facing the 21-year-old Raonic for the first time, said he had a difficult time adjusting early to what the hard-serving Canadian.
“It was a difficult match,” Federer said. “I have never played him before. He has probably seen me play a whole lot on TV which helps him out a bit.”
Federer hammered 10 aces and won 88 percent of his first-serve points in the two hour, seven minute match, and afterwards expressed pride in the comeback. “I hung in there and played great in the second set. The third set was close and I am glad to be moving on in this tournament,” he said.
Federer broke Raonic in the seventh game of the third set to go up 4-3. With Raonic serving at 30-30 Federer dug low to snag a 219kmph (136mph) service return, which Raonic then failed to get back over the net. The Swiss won the game on the next point with a backhand passing shot down the line.
Federer then took his first match point when Raonic pounded a forehand into the net in front of the 15,000-strong crowd at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Raonic, who already has two titles this season, showed why he is considered one of the rising stars on the ATP Tour, earning the praise of his opponent.
“He is going to be a future top 10 player and a whole lot better. He did very well tonight under pressure,” Federer said. Despite the loss, Raonic said he still enjoyed being on centre court against the 16-time Grand Slam winner.
“I was there competing with what people say was the greatest player of all-time,” Raonic said.
