Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer for the third time in three months Saturday, with his 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 semi-final win at the Indian Wells Masters enough to return the Serb to a world number two ranking.
Djokovic, undefeated at 17-0 this season, is now on the cusp of his third trophy from as many events after the Australian Open and Dubai victories earlier this year. He faces off Sunday for his second title at the desert venue against world number one Rafael Nadal.
"It makes me feel great, it makes me feel very happy," said the winner. "It's the crown for my achievements this year. I think I deserve it. I've played the best tennis of my life in last three months.
"I've been very dedicated, very professional, and I want to keep on going."
Nadal, the Spanish top seed, overcame a slow start to defeat Argentine Juan Del Potro 6-4, 6-4 earlier Saturday.
Federer, now 0-3 against Djokovic in 2011, owns Indian Wells titles from 2004-2006. The Swiss had a poor day on serve, broken twice in the first set and three times in the third after going up a break on Djokovic.
"It makes me feel great, it makes me feel very happy," said the winner. "It's the crown for my achievements this year. I think I deserve it. I've played the best tennis of my life in last three months.
"I've been very dedicated, very professional, and I want to keep on going."
Nadal, the Spanish top seed, overcame a slow start to defeat Argentine Juan Del Potro 6-4, 6-4 earlier Saturday.
Federer, now 0-3 against Djokovic in 2011, owns Indian Wells titles from 2004-2006. The Swiss had a poor day on serve, broken twice in the first set and three times in the third after going up a break on Djokovic.
"I had my chances today. It was a good match, played at a high level," said a relaxed Federer. "I know I wasn't far away at all today, because I really had him going.
"But look, I guess he escaped. I guess confidence is a big thing for him at the moment. I'm sure it's gonna be a good final tomorrow."
Federer stands 18-3 on the season, and still leads the series against Djokovic 13-9, but took his last victory over the Serb at the London year-end finals in November.
"It's really important to get the upper hand in some part of the match against the opponent like Roger," said Djokovic. "And when you have the chance, you better use it, because he can come back easily. I could feel that."
Nadal beat Argentine Del Potro for the fifth time in eight meetings. The number 90 Argentine is coming back after missing most of 2010 due to wrist surgery. He won the 2009 US Open over Federer. Nadal has not won a title since Tokyo last October.
"I was playing fantastic before the season, and when I started in Abu Dhabi," said Nadal. "I had a few problems there in the leg, in Australia, and have a virus in Doha.
"To come back after one month and a few more days outside of competition is fantastic news for me. It's really, really important this coming back. Winning matches like today is how you can return to your highest level."
Nadal improved his Indian Wells record to 31-4.
Del Potro started with an early break of top seed Nadal, but the Spaniard calmly reversed the momentum and won the last five games to sweep the set. In the second, Nadal got on top with a break in the fifth game and rolled onto the victory in just under two hours, with four aces and three breaks of serve.
Nadal said he was ready for Djokovic in the Sunday final.
"We know each other 100 per cent. These kind of matches are always the same, the player playing better at the moment will win," he said. "In my opinion, the player with the better inspiration that day is the player who's going to have better chances to win."
"But look, I guess he escaped. I guess confidence is a big thing for him at the moment. I'm sure it's gonna be a good final tomorrow."
Federer stands 18-3 on the season, and still leads the series against Djokovic 13-9, but took his last victory over the Serb at the London year-end finals in November.
"It's really important to get the upper hand in some part of the match against the opponent like Roger," said Djokovic. "And when you have the chance, you better use it, because he can come back easily. I could feel that."
Nadal beat Argentine Del Potro for the fifth time in eight meetings. The number 90 Argentine is coming back after missing most of 2010 due to wrist surgery. He won the 2009 US Open over Federer. Nadal has not won a title since Tokyo last October.
"I was playing fantastic before the season, and when I started in Abu Dhabi," said Nadal. "I had a few problems there in the leg, in Australia, and have a virus in Doha.
"To come back after one month and a few more days outside of competition is fantastic news for me. It's really, really important this coming back. Winning matches like today is how you can return to your highest level."
Nadal improved his Indian Wells record to 31-4.
Del Potro started with an early break of top seed Nadal, but the Spaniard calmly reversed the momentum and won the last five games to sweep the set. In the second, Nadal got on top with a break in the fifth game and rolled onto the victory in just under two hours, with four aces and three breaks of serve.
Nadal said he was ready for Djokovic in the Sunday final.
"We know each other 100 per cent. These kind of matches are always the same, the player playing better at the moment will win," he said. "In my opinion, the player with the better inspiration that day is the player who's going to have better chances to win."
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