Defending BNP Paribas Open champion Roger Federer barely survived his fourth round match at the Indian Wells Garden against compatriot and friend Stanislas Wawrinka on Wednesday. The Swiss star was down a break in the third set against Wawrinka but managed to fight back and won the 12th game to triumph with a 6-3, 6-7, 7-5 scoreline.
With the victory, Federer has made it possible to have a blockbuster quarterfinal match against rival Rafael Nadal on Thursday. Nadal won his fourth round match against Ernests Gulbis in similar fashion, winning in three sets as well.
“Today it was extremely close again. Okay, I should [have] maybe closed it out in the second set, but he did well to stay in it,” Federer said. “At the end, I don’t know what [got] me through. Maybe it’s the experience or maybe [I was] a bit more calm in those moments. I’m not sure. Today I think I was a little lucky to come through it in the end.”
Federer is bidding to win his fifth Indian Wells title and a record 22nd ATP Masters 1000 title but he will be facing a tough road ahead. He’s seeking his first ATP World Tour title this 2013 season.
