By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, March 15, 2019
Roger Federer charged past Hubert Hurkacz into his 12th Indian Wells semifinal where he awaits either Rafael Nadal or Karen Khachanov.
Photo credit: BNP Paribas Open Facebook
Applause is Roger Federer’s favorite sound on the court.
An efficient Federer elicited an ovation charging past Hubert Hurkacz, 6-4, 6-4, into his 12th Indian Wells semifinal—and potential blockbuster showdown with rival Rafael Nadal.
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The five-time Indian Wells champion broke early in both sets and denied both break points he faced extending his winning streak to nine matches and improving to 66-12 lifetime at the BNP Paribas Open.
"I'm holding my serve comfortably," Federer said. "I'm in a good place mentally when I go into my service games. I think it showed this week thus far, you know. So I hope I can keep that up.
"Against Rafa you need it, obviously, if it's against him, but also against Khachanov. At this stage of the tournament, anyway, you have to bring your best game. Personally, I'm very excited to be in the semis here. Not that I didn't expect it, but it definitely went better than I thought it would."
Now, the fourth-seeded Federer plays the waiting game as second-seeded Nadal faces Paris Masters champion Karen Khachanov in today’s second quarterfinal with episode 39 of the famed Fedal rivalry pending if the reigning Roland Garros champion stops the powerful Russian.
The 37 year-old Swiss is the oldest man to reach the final four in tournament history and rides a five-match winning streak against his arch rival. Federer, like much of the rest of the tennis world, sounded buzzed by a rematch with Rafa and discounts the importance of his winning streak should the pair square off.
"I don't think those five matches matter that much, to be honest," Federer said. "A lot of time has gone by, unfortunately maybe for the rivalry for us, or for me. It's always better to keep on maybe playing against him. Even then you might argue that giving him chances may be also not what he needs because he's too good of a player not to figure things out.
"He seems to me very good. He's at a higher level than he was at the Australian Open. He seems healthy. When Rafa is healthy, especially in a place like here in Indian Wells where he feels comfortable, he's clearly very tough to play. But, yeah, a lot has happened in those 18 months...Sure, you look back at what I did well there, but you can't just copy/paste and play exactly the same thing again."
Continuing his quest for a record sixth Indian Wells crown, Federer controlled the center of the court doubling Hurkacz in winners—24 to 12—and converting two of three break points in a tidy 73-minute triumph.
Facing the Grand Slam king in the nation’s second largest stadium can be a daunting assignment for anyone. The degree of difficulty was compounded for the 22-year-old Pole, who was making his Masters quarterfinal debut, while Federer was contesting his 83rd career Masters quarterfinal.
Yet Hurkacz didn’t show a shred of nerve carving out an Edberg-esque side-spinning backhand drop volley and rapping a couple of aces capping an impressive hold for 2-1.
Throwing down aces in a love hold, Federer immediately answered.
Breezy afternoon conditions did not diminish Federer’s forward attack.
Dancing around a backhand, the Swiss slashed a diagonal forehand fore break point and broke for 3-2 when Hurkacz strong-armed a forehand beyond the baseline.
The 6’5” Hurkacz possesses variety, but changing direction can be an issue. Federer hit behind the Pole vaulter who dove in vain for a forehand volley as the Swiss streaked through a second straight love hold to confirm the break.
The fourth-seeded Swiss made the lone break stand rallying from 15-30 down through a deuce hold snatching a one-set lead after a half an hour. Federer won 13 of 15 first-serve points and was only tested on serve in the final game.
Working the slithering slice to make the big man bend low, Federer drew the error to earn the first break of the second set. Soaking up the pace of a 126 MPH serve, Federer made Hurkacz play another ball eliciting a netted forehand to break for 2-1.
Fed friend, doubles partner and philanthropist Bill Gates was spotted on the big screen breaking into a major grin as the former No. 1 improvised a two-handed backhand to reflex a slick lob that Hurkacz retrieved with a tweener only to see Federer finish with a smash. That sequence helped him back up the break.
The world No. 67 earned his first break point in the sixth game; Federer summoned magic to make it disappear.
Running with his back to net, Federer shoveled an over-the-shoulder forehand at Hurkacz’s feet to extend the point then pumped a forehand pass to end it. Federer fired his fourth ace for 4-2.
Handcuffed on a half-volley, Federer faced a second break point in the final game.
Thumping a serve winner, Federer sealed his 12th Indian Wells semifinal spinning a forehand down the middle to raise his 2019 record to 12-1.