Federer opens Indian Wells title defence

Roger Federer opened his title defence at the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. The Swiss improved to a 40-8 record at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, lifting the trophy in 2004-‘06 and 2012 (d. Isner).

Federer needed just 58 minutes to beat Istomin for the fourth time in four meetings. He won 32 of 36 of his service points and broke Istomin four times from seven opportunities.

"It felt good from the start and was able to maintain that level of play," said Federer. "I never thought he got into the match at all. That gives you obviously even more confidence."

Federer, who won his fourth title here last year, lost just four points on serve, all in the first set. Two of those were by double faults, and he never faced a break point and won 96 percent of his first serves.

Federer has won a record 21 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophies. In the third round, Federer will face Croatia’s Ivan Dodig, who defeated Julien Benneteau of France 6-4, 6-2 in 82 minutes.

Date: 10th March 2013, Source: ATP and AP