Roger Federer recorded a milestone victory on Wednesday as he grabbed his 50th career win at the BNP Paribas Open with a straight-set win over local hero Jack Sock. He will look to make it 51 victories at Indian Wells this coming Friday when he squares off with Czech star Tomas Berdych in what promises to be a highly-entertaining matchup.
Read on below for a complete preview of this quarterfinal showdown and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the quarterfinal match between Rafael Nadal and Milos Raonic here.
Roger Federer barged into the quarterfinals of the 2015 BNP Paribas Open with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 win over Jack Sock on Wednesday. It was a masterful performance from the Swiss maestro who needed just 70 minutes to defeat the 22-year-old American.
[sc:Other240banner ]Federer was dominant particularly with his service game, surrendering just seven points and allowing Sock no break point opportunities. The 17-time grand slam champion was also dominant with his return game, laying waste to Sock’s serve, converting 3 of 11 break opportunities.
Federer has been lights out this season, going 14-1 to start the year. His only defeat came in the third round of the Australian Open, in which he suffered a shocking loss to Andrea Seppi. He has rebounded strongly from that defeat, even beating World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships last month.
Federer will look to extend his current winning streak to nine matches when he faces the ever-dangerous Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals. Federer owns a 12-6 advantage against the Czech star in their head-to-head matchup. Interestingly, this will be their first-ever meeting at Indian Wells.
Federer’s main edge against Berdych is his familiarity with the hard courts of Indian Wells. He has already won this event a record four times, claiming tournament victories in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2012. With the form that he is in right now, it’s not that difficult seeing Federer lifting his fifth Indian Wells title this coming weekend.
Tomas Berdych survived a major scare on Wednesday, edging past Czech compatriot Lukas Rosol in the fourth round, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. It has been nine years since Berdych last lost to a fellow Czech player and he made sure that streak will remain intact against Rosol as he wrapped up the victory in just under two hours.
After suffering an opening-round loss to Roberto Bautista Agut in this event last year, Berdych has come back strong this season, recording straight-set wins over Sergiy Stakhovsky and Steve Johnson prior to his victory Wednesday.
His best finish in this event came in 2013 when he fell to Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. He can match that feat this year with a victory over Roger Federer in the quarters. Although he trails 12-6 in their head-to-head matchup, Berdych will fancy his chances against Federer as he has won two of his last three meetings with the Swiss star.
Berdych’s last win over Federer came in the 2013 Dubai Tennis final in which he emerged victorious in three tough sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Berdych is 8-2 in his last 10 matches.
Writer’s Prediction
Federer (-250) beats Berdych in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
