Requested about his favourite Masters 1000 match from the previous, Alex de Minaur had no second ideas. The Aussie picked the 2005 Indian Wells remaining between his idols, Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt. Youg Alex loved the battle, and he typically watches highlights of that duel.
Federer defended his Indian Wells crown over Hewitt, ousting his nice rival 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 54 minutes. Thus, the Swiss turned the primary defending champion within the desert for the reason that Aussie a few years earlier.
The highest seeds battled for the sixteenth time, and Roger earned his seventh straight overcome Lleyton. World no. 1 prevailed within the pivotal moments. He defended six of seven break factors and mounted the stress on the opposite facet.
Le rallye dingue de Federer et Hewitt (45 coups) en finale d’Indian Wells 2005 pic.twitter.com/e94Iko23kB
— Perdants magnifiques (@TousPoulidor) January 10, 2025
The Swiss pushed onerous on the return, changing 5 of 15 break factors and sealing the deal in straight units. Federer landed over 40 winners and stayed on 30 unforced errors. He lowered Hewitt to a 15-30 ratio and constructed a transparent benefit within the shortest exchanges as much as 4 strokes.
Whereas dominating the quickest rallies together with his serve and the primary groundstroke, Roger additionally claimed extra factors within the extra superior rallies. The Aussie was off to a sluggish begin, spraying a forehand error within the first recreation of the duel and dropping serve.
Roger Federer, Indian Wells 2005© Stream screenshot
Federer denied a break level within the second recreation with a robust serve and closed it with a forehand winner for a 2-0 benefit. They served nicely within the upcoming video games, and Roger moved 4-2 up with two winners at 30-30 in recreation six.
He stepped in on the return within the subsequent one and notched one other break that despatched him 5-2 in entrance. World no. 1 closed the opener in model in recreation eight, firing 4 winners and taking the opener 6-2 in 28 minutes.
Hewitt clinched among the best factors in Indian Wells historical past whereas saving a break level at 1-1 within the second set! The Aussie landed a volley winner after a 45-stroke change that stored the gang on the sting of their seats.
Lleyton Hewitt, Indian Wells 2005© Stream screenshot
They stayed neck and neck till 3-3 when Federer delivered a break following the rival’s backhand mistake. The Swiss cemented it with an ace at 4-3 and landed three direct factors at 5-4 to wrap up the set and transfer nearer to the end line.
The Aussie skilled one other break firstly of the third set. He bounced again from 0-40 two video games later, bringing it residence and remaining inside one break deficit. Roger stored pushing on the return.
He landed a forehand down the road winner within the fifth recreation for an additional break and a 4-1 benefit. World no. 1 performed a careless forehand within the sixth recreation, dropping serve for the one time and permitting his rival to cut back the deficit.
Roger Federer, Indian Wells 2005© Stream screenshot
Federer misplaced the bottom a bit in these moments, providing Hewitt one other break likelihood in recreation eight. The defending champion saved it with an ace and closed the sport for a 5-3 benefit. Lleyton prolonged the battle with a maintain in recreation 9.
Roger served for the title at 5-4 and fired three unreturned serves to seal the deal in model and have a good time the title protection.
“I remember watching Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt battling in the 2005 Indian Wells final. They were my idols and two people I look up while entering the sport. It was cool to watch, and I often check the highlights reels,” Alex de Minaur mentioned.
