Roger Federer leading Federico Delbonis at Indian Wells when rain forces delay
Monday 12 March 2018 07:59, UK
Roger Federer’s opening match at Indian Wells was suspended due to rain on Saturday night.
He was 6-3 2-2 ahead against Federico Delbonis at the California tournament when a downpour forced them off the court.
The match will resume on Sunday evening, live on Sky Sports Arena from 6pm. Federer vs Delbonis is slated as the third match on Stadium 1.
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The start to the second-round tie had been delayed due to rain despite the ball boys best efforts to dry the court with towels.
A backhand winner gave Federer the only break of the opening set but, mid-way through the second, rain forced them to depart. After a two-hour delay it was decided they would resume on Sunday.
Indian Wells is the first tournament that Federer has entered since becoming the oldest player ever, aged 36, to become world No 1.
He is required to make the semi-finals next week to keep that ranking, or he will be overtaken by Rafael Nadal.
Elsewhere, No 3 seed Grigor Dimitrov was upset by Fernando Verdasco, losing 7-6 4-6 6-3. Fabio Fognini was beaten 4-6, 7-6 6-4 by Jeremy Chardy.
Fifth seed Dominic Thiem won 6-2 3-6 6-3 against Stefanos Tsitsipas and seventh seed Kevin Anderson defeated Evgeny Donskoy 7-5 6-4.
You can watch the Masters 1000 from Indian Wells with coverage getting underway from 7pm on Sky Sports Action and via the red button on the same channel this Thursday. You can also watch it from 10.30pm on Sky Sports Main Event.
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