Roger Federer defeats Borna Coric to reach Indian Wells final
Federer continues defence of Indian Wells title by reaching Sunday's final with hard-fought 5-7 6-4 6-4 success and extend his season-best win streak to 17 matches
Sunday 18 March 2018 13:40, UK
Roger Federer made his best-ever start to a season after a gutsy three-set win over unseeded Borna Coric to keep his bid for a record sixth Indian Wells title alive.
World No 1 Federer showed his champion qualities at the BNP Paribas Open to eclipse his start to the 2006 season with a career-best 17th straight win on Saturday.
Federer survived a scare from Coric though, and was forced to fight back from a set and a break down to edge out the crafty 21-year-old Croatian 5-7 6-4 6-4, in an unexpectedly competitive two hour and 20 minute struggle.
It was pretty much a cat and mouse game, but one I am very happy I was able to win.
The 36-year-old, who will face sixth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro in Sunday's final, told Sky Sports: "It was very difficult. I think I won today through fighting, staying in the match, and trying not to miss by almost aiming for the middle of the court.
"Borna did a great job of controlling the middle of the court. He was very steady, didn't give me much. It was pretty much a cat and mouse game, but one I am very happy I was able to win.
"I was impressed by his mental strength and his movement. I know how good a counter-player he is so he's such got to improve on his offence and then he'll be very tough to beat in the future."
Juan Martin del Potro to face Roger Federer in Indian Wells final
Federer, who has won the Australian Open and the Rotterdam Open, overcame a slow start in front of a partisan crowd that included tennis royalty Rod Laver, Pete Sampras, as well as former boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard.
He rallied from a 5-7 2-4 deficit to win the final four games of the second set, breaking Coric twice for the first time in the match.
There were five breaks in the third when Federer trailed 4-3. He broke Coric after two deuces on his way to winning the last three games to stay on course to defend his title.
Federer hasn't started a season so well for 12 years, when he won his first 16 matches en route to a 92-5 record, which included 12 titles.
You can watch the final of the ATP Masters 1000 from Indian Wells from 8pm on Sky Sports Arena & Sky Sports Main Event on Sunday. We're be back for more ATP Masters 1000 action on Sky Sports Arena next Wednesday from 3pm for the Miami Open.
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