Federer ties record with Indian Wells win

Roger Federer defeated Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 7-5 to win a record-tying fifth BNP Paribas Open title in an allSwiss men’s final at Indian Wells, Calif.

At 35 years and 7 months, Federer became the oldest champion in the desert tournament’s history, surpassing Jimmy Connors, who was 31 years and 5 months when he won in 1981.

Federer tied the tourney record of Novak Djokovic, while winning his 90th career title, keeping him third behind Connors and Ivan Lendl on the all-time list in the Open era.

Federer dropped serve just once in five matches, losing the first game of the second set against Wawrinka.

Elena Vesnina defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-4 in an all-Russian women’s final.

Vesnina, 30, had never advanced beyond the third round in singles, although she has won the doubles title at the desert tournament three times. She beat No. 2 seed Angelique Kerber and No. 12 Venus Williams on her way to the final.

■ Six-time champion Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the upcoming Miami Open because of a lingering right elbow injury.