Federer, Nadal book 4th rd blockbuster, Djokovic advances

RAFAEL NADAL and Roger Federer booked a mouthwatering fourth-round clash at the ATP Indian Wells Masters yesterday, where five-time champion Novak Djokovic also advanced from the “group of death”.

With the three superstars drawn in the same quarter, only one – at most – can make it to the semifinals.

The weeding out will start in earnest overnight when Federer meets Nadal in the round of 16 in a reprise of the Australian Open final in January that saw the Swiss star claim an 18th Grand Slam crown.

“I think it’s a great thing for tennis, and it’s exciting for Rafa and me,” said Federer, a four-time Indian Wells winner. “It’s a tough draw, but rankings are not the priority for both of us.

“Anything else but a finals, it almost doesn’t matter which round it would be,” he added of what will be the 36th meeting between the two – their first before the quarterfinals since they launched their rivalry in 2004.

Three-time Indian Wells champion Nadal was the first through, defeating fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5.

Despite two “horrible” games, Nadal was pleased with his overall effort against Verdasco, a left-hander like himself who has pushed him in the past.

“I played a good match – very aggressive with my serve, serving well, hitting good forehands, good backhands.

Federer edged American Steve Johnson 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) in a match in which neither player was able to break.

Djokovic made it past dangerous Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, who shocked the Serb star in the first round of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics last year en route to singles silver. He will meet Australian Nick Kyrgios, who defeated Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4. – AFP