Roger Federer: “Indian Wells defeat will sting”

Roger Federer said he will get over the disappointment of his Indian Wells final loss to Juan Martin del Potro – but it was a result that will sting.

The world number one, unbeaten in 2018 until Sunday, led 40-15 when serving for the title at 5-4 in the third set, and held another match point later in that same game.

Victory would have extended his win-loss record this season to a flawless 18-0.

But he couldn’t seal victory against the gritty Argentine, who went on to triumph 6-4 6-7(8) 7-6(2) in one of the best matches of the season.

> RELATED: Del Potro stuns Federer in Indian Wells

“I have to get over it. There is no way around it,” Federer said.

“I feel frustrated that I let an opportunity like this go by. Serving at 40-15, any game I probably win – I don’t know what the stat is – 90-something percent.

“So it should sting for a bit. The question is how long? It won’t be long, but it’s disappointing talking about a great match like this, losing, even though I was right there.

“Obviously there is not too much time to dwell over it. I’m happy for Juan Martin. It’s a tough one. And I still had a good week here. I still see the positives at the end of the day.”

Federer had survived a stern test in the second-set tiebreak, staving off a match point to send the final into a decider.

But after Del Potro broke back to level the third set at 5-5, the momentum had shifted.

Federer played an error-strewn tiebreak – during which he committed two double faults – to go down somewhat limply after what had been a terrific, intense battle.

> GALLERY: Indian Wells finals day

“I would like to play that tiebreaker again, because I don’t know what the hell happened,” Federer said.

“I started badly. Bad return first up. He had a good return after that. I don’t know. Just probably took some wrong decisions along the way. I lost my serve a little bit. And then he was clean and I wasn’t. And then it goes very quickly in the breaker.

“It happens sometimes.”

Federer next heads to the Miami Open, where he must reach at least the quarterfinals to retain the No.1 ranking.

He said he would not divulge his potential clay-court schedule – including whether or not he will play at Roland Garros – until after Miami.

Had Roger Federer won the Indian Wells final, he would have remained at world No 1 until May 20th without hitting another ball.

To remain above Rafael Nadal after Miami, Federer must reach the quarter-finals.

— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) March 18, 2018

Despite his disappointment, Federer admitted that he was happy for Del Potro, who had battled years of wrist injuries before claiming his biggest title since his breakthrough victory at the 2009 US Open – and first ever ATP Masters crown.

“It was a great match, honestly. Good fun. Good intensity. We enjoy that. And also it was tough and fair on the court,” Federer said.

“At the end you saw we are appreciative of the finals that we played against each other, which I think is really important for both of us.

“I feel like he looks good on the backhand now. Basically to his old self, really. What’s interesting is that he put himself out there with no double-hander almost (in the early stages of his comeback), but just happy to slice and still take losses, I guess. Because he knew it was going to probably not be enough against some players, but he was happy enough playing this way, which I admire a lot.

“Over time he got more and more confident, and now he’s here and he’s won a Masters 1000. It’s a great story. That’s why I’m also very happy for him today.”