Federer to meet Stan in title clash

Indian Wells, March 19: Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka set up an allSwiss showdown for the ATP Indian Wells Masters title on Saturday with straight-sets semifinal victories.

Federer, who won his 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, subdued 17th-seeded American Jack Sock 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) to earn a crack at a record-equalling fifth Indian Wells title.

US Open champion Wawrinka, past the quarterfinals in the California desert for the first time, knocked out Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2.

Federer went into his clash with Sock well-rested after ailing Aussie Nick Kyrgios pulled out of their highly anticipated quarterfinal.

Federer raced through the first set in 21 minutes. But Sock pulled up his socks and raised his game in the second set by doubling his efforts, saving a break point in the seventh game as it went on serve to the tiebreaker.

The American energized US fans on Stadium Court when he zinged a backhand winner past Federer for a 3-1 lead in the decider.

But Federer won six of the next seven points, including the last three, as he sealed the contest on his first opportunity.

Sock said he had little to regret in the loss to the player he considers the greatest of all time.

“I didn’t play my service games really the way I wanted to in the first,” said the 24-year-old, who was in the first Masters semifinal of his career.” said Sock. — AFP