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(36,563 posts)Federer Survives Wawrinka, Sets Blockbuster Nadal QF
Indian Wells, U.S.A.
by Staff
13.03.2013
World No. 2 Roger Federer set a blockbuster quarterfinal clash with Rafael Nadal at the BNP Paribas Open after both survived pulsating fourth-round tussles on Wednesday night, in what was one of the greatest days in tournament history at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
It will be their first meeting for 12 months, since Federer beat the Spaniard in straight sets in the semifinals in Indian Wells. The 26-year-old Nadal leads their career series 18-10. Both are bidding to win a record-breaking 22nd ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown this week.
Federer prevailed in a gripping tussle with Swiss countryman Stanislas Wawrinka, winning 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-5 in two hours and 20 minutes. Federer served for the match at 5-4 in the second set, but was broken to love as Wawrinka staged a spirited fightback. Wawrinka led 2-1 with a break in the third set, but could not consolidate and Federer ultimately got the decisive break in the 12th game.
"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."
http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/News/Tennis/2013/Tournament/ATP-Wednesday2-Federer-Nadal.aspx