ThrowbackTimes Indian Wells: Roger Federer storms over Guillermo Canas in 73 minutes

Back in 2004, Roger Federer conquered the world of tennis and became the player to beat, distancing himself from all the rivals and hoping for more of the same in the season to come. The Swiss stormed over the opponents in Doha at the beginning of 2005, losing the crown at the Australian Open to Marat Safin after that thrilling semi-final clash before lifting the trophy in Rotterdam and Dubai, standing as the favorite in Indian Wells as well. There, Roger prevailed against his current coach Ivan Ljubicic in two tie breaks in the fourth round, scoring three more comfortable victories in other matches to reach the semi-final, facing the Argentine Guillermo Canas in the battle for the place in the final.

Three years earlier, Canas toppled young Federer at Canada Masters, standing no chance in this one as Roger grabbed a 6-3, 6-1 win in an hour and 13 minutes. The defending champion controlled the pace with 23 winners and some 17 unforced errors, having the upper hand in both the shortest and more advanced rallies to stay in front and bring the triumph home. Federer stole more than half of the return points, creating ten break chances and converting five to hold the strings of the clash in his hands, facing two break points and getting broken once. The favorite kicked off the action with a service winner in the opening game, fending off a break chance in the third game with a sharp forehand winner and securing a break in the next game to open a 3-1 gap.

The Argentine broke back after forcing an error from the Swiss a couple of minutes later, reducing the deficit and leveling the score at 3-3 to stay in touch with world no. 1. Federer held after another deuce in game seven and broke Canas to open another lead, securing the opener with a hold at 15 in game nine for a 6-3 after 42 minutes. With the momentum on his side, Roger grabbed a break in the first game of the second set, cementing it with a volley winner and moving 3-1 in front with three service winners in the fourth game. Finding his range, the Swiss landed a forehand winner to deliver another break, holding at 30 in game six and sealing the deal with another successful return game at 5-1 to propel himself into the final, taking nine of the last ten games to race over the finish line. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3cYkrIm