Sports: Tennis: Novak Djokovic of Serbia beats Roger Federer of Switzerland, the once-reigning champ hitherto

BBC Sports (Mar19,2k11)



Djokovic beats Federer to take 


world number two ranking

Djokovic has dropped just one set so far in the tournament

Djokovic has dropped just one set so far in the tournament

Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer in three sets to take the world number two ranking and set up an Indian Wells final against Rafael Nadal (Spain).

The 23-year-old Serbian will replace 16-time Grand Slam champion Federer in the rankings after a 6-3 3-6 6-2 win in the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals.

Djokovic took his 2011 record to 17-0 and next faces Nadal, after the Spaniard beat Juan Martin del Potro.

Top seed Nadal recovered from a slow start to defeat the Argentine 6-4 6-4.

There's not much to say about Rafa - he's a big champion, definitely showed his quality today and showed he's in really good form, but I'll step in and try to be aggressive.

Novak Djokovic

He was given a helping hand at the start of Saturday's first semi-final as Nadal made a sluggish start, missing a break point chance in the opening game before dropping serve himself moments later.

The world number one was in trouble at 4-1 down but gathered himself impressively to reel off five straight games as he took the set, with his forehand doing much of the damage.

A single break at 2-2 in the second was enough as Nadal saw out the victory to end a three-match losing streak against Del Potro and close in on a third Indian Wells title.  ...

Djokovic has been the man to beat this year and has had the better of Federer in recent encounters, including victories in the US and Australian Open semi-finals and the Dubai final.

The pattern continued in the California desert as Djokovic's movement and relentless pressure from the baseline had Federer repeatedly misfiring, with a forehand into the net giving up the first break at 2-2.

Read more from BBC Sports excellent coverage - Sportikos

Djokovic beats Nadal to take 

world top ranking in tennis

AssociatedPress (Mar21,2k11)

The official ranking is bit different from mine. 

Novak Djokovic beat top-ranked Rafael Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to win the BNP Paribas Open title Sunday at Indian Wells, Calif.

Djokovic improved to 18-0 this year, including victories at the Australian Open and in Dubai last month. He will move into the No. 2 spot when the ATP Tour rankings are released today, having bumped Roger Federer down to third after Federer lost to Djokovic in the semifinals. Nadal will remain No. 1 with a 14-3 record.

The official ranking is bit different from mine.  Doesn't seem altogether fair.  -- Sportikos