Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro cruise, but Zverev out

ATP Tour

Shahida Jacobs
March 12, 2018

Roger Federer eased past Federico Delbonis in their rain-delayed match to secure his place in the third round at Indian Wells.

Top seed Federer had won the opening set 6-3 and the score was 2-2 in the second set when the match was called off on Saturday due to weather.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner had to save a set point in the tie-breaker, but he eventually wrapped up the match 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) in one hour and 41 minutes.

“It is interesting, when you go from night to day and you know there is a difference,” the Swiss player said. “So naturally it’s all a change. Here now you play the same guy the next day, so you can really compare how different conditions are. It was actually quite interesting.”

He will be looking to take his unbeaten run in 2018 to 14 matches when he faces Filip Krajinovic next.

Australian Open runner-up Marin Cilic also secured his place in the third round as the second seed saw off Marton Fucsovics 7-5, 6-3. He will face Philipp Kohlschreiber after the German beat Tim Smyczek1-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Juan Martin del Potro outclassed Australian teenager Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour.

Although the former US Open winner lost his serve once in the first set, he had the upper hand thanks to three breaks of serve, while two breaks were enough in the second set.

He will face David Ferrer next after the Spanish veteran beat Tennys Sandgren 6-2, 7-6 (7-3).

Former Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over American Felix Auger Aliassime while Marcos Baghdatis upset 14th seed Diego Schwartzman 7-5, 6-4.

The 15th seed John Isner is also out as he went down 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 against Gael Monfils.

“I felt that [the third set] was a little bit tight, that’s why I fired up straight away,” said Monfils. “When I saved those last two break points I fired up the crowd because I think when you can see your opponent is tight, it’s good.”

Fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev lost the late-night game against Joao Sousa, going down 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.

The German had the early advantage in the decider as he broke in the fourth game, but then lost his serve twice in a row as Sousa took charge and the man from Portugal eventually secured the win on his first match point.