Juan Martin del Potro has taken down a living legend for his first ATP Masters 1000 title…
The The 29-year-old Argentine tennis player has ended World No. 1 Roger Federer‘s 17-match win streak to claim the BNP Paribas Open title at Indian Wells.
del Potro beat Federer 6-4 6-7 (8-10) 7-6 (7-2) in a thrilling final.
Federer had been searching for a record sixth title in California, but it was del Potro who powered to his first ATP Masters 1000 title.
He’s the first player to beat Federer in 2018.
del Potro saved three match points before closing out victory in two hours 42 minutes.
del Potro has been hampered by wrist problems in recent years and has had three operations which left him struggling to use his backhand.
But he has made a strong start to 2018, winning his first ATP 500 title for five years at Acapulco earlier in March and returning to the world’s top 10.
del Potro claimed a stunning four-set win over Federer at the US Open in September last year, but Federer won their last meeting in Basel a month later.
del Potro forced the only break of the first set and made just three unforced errors to Federer’s 11 as he closed out the first set in 39 minutes.
“It’s difficult to describe with words. It’s like a dream,” Del Potro said. “After all my problems, after all my surgeries, I couldn’t believe I’m here winning a Masters 1000 and beating Roger. It’s amazing.”