DUEL IN THE DESERT
Federer, Nadal on course for clash
The two great rivals could meet again, this time in the fourth round at Indian Wells
Indian Wells — Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal are on course for another showdown after winning their opening matches at the BNP Paribas Open in the California desert on Sunday. Less than two months after Federer claimed an 18th Major title in a classic Australian Open final, the two great rivals could meet again, this time in the fourth round at Indian Wells. Both won in style on Sunday, with Spanish fifth seed Nadal pouncing on Guido Pella’s serve to break the Argentine five times en route to a 6-3 6-2 victory in sizzling afternoon heat. Federer enjoyed the relative cool of an evening match but was back in the locker room before working up a major sweat, easing to a 6-2 6-1 win over Frenchman Stephane Robert in front of a crowd of about 16,000 spectators. "The beginning was difficult, just because I’ve never played him before so I’m not sure about his patterns," ninth seed Federer said. "I was happy I was able to loosen up and play good tennis. I started to serve really well, move ar...
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