Saturday 21 March 2015 15:37, UK
Roger Federer cruised into the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells with a 6-4 6-0 win over Tomas Berdych.
Federer, four times a winner in the Californian desert, took his record on the season to 15-1 with his only defeat having come in shock fashion against Andreas Seppi in the third round of the Australian Open.
The Swiss star avenged his win over Seppi in the first round in Indian Wells and his form continues to look imperious as he claimed a first straight-sets win over Berdych since 2011.
He needed only 68 minutes to set up a semi-final clash with either Rafael Nadal or Milos Raonic, who play later on Friday.
And Federer managed it in style, with a rare bagel set against the classy Berdych - indeed it was his first in 19 matches against the ninth seed from the Czech Republic.
"It was great," a beaming Federer said. "I was really able to put the pressure on Tomas from the baseline.
"I had the upper hand and I definitely think he didn't have his best serving day.
"The statistics showed he had a few double faults and not a high enough first-serve percentage and that allowed me to get into many of the baseline rallies. And because I had the upper hand, I was able to control the match."
The statistics showed he had a few double faults and not a high enough first-serve percentage and that allowed me to get into many of the baseline rallies. And because I had the upper hand, I was able to control the match.
Berdych admitted he was waiting for Federer to give him a chance to get into the game - a chance that never arrived.
He said: "It's always about being ready, waiting for a chance.
"He was doing pretty much everything perfect ... he was doing pretty much everything on the top level, and there was not much that I can do."
