• BNP Paribas Open

Federer claims historic fourth title at Indian Wells

Roger Federer clinched his fourth BNP Paribas Open title © PA Photos

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Roger Federer created yet more history on Sunday by becoming the first man to lift the BNP Paribas Open title on four occasions, beating John Isner 7-6(7) 6-3 at Indian Wells.

Federer moves ahead of Jimmy Connors and Michael Chang as the first man to triumph in the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event four times, and victory confirms his status as the form player of 2012. Isner made the Swiss work extremely hard for his win, but ultimately succumbed to a straight sets loss.

The past week has been particularly sweet for Federer, who has only lost twice since the US Open last year. Those two defeats came against Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open and Isner in the Davis Cup, and he beat both men back-to-back to reign supreme at Indian Wells.

Isner had beaten world No. 1 Novak Djokovic to reach the final, cementing his place in the world's top ten. He was chasing a maiden ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title against Federer, but he simply did not have enough behind his booming serve.

The first set saw Isner edge matters, wasting two break points in the opening game. Federer then had to save another in his next service game, delivering a calm smash under pressure, and the scores progressed on serve to 3-2 before a brief rain delay stopped play.

Upon resumption Isner needed a booming serve to save set point at 5-6, and then again in the tiebreaker with the scores 6-5 in Federer's favour. In the end, the Swiss clinched the set at the third attempt, and it proved a crucial lead.

Federer was chasing a 19th ATP Masters 1000 title, lifting him level with Nadal for the most ever won by a player on the ATP Tour. Isner, though, had won their most recent encounter and he again relied upon his huge serve to keep Federer at bay in the second.

It took a moment of brilliance from the world No. 2 to finally settle the match, a glorious backhand winner down the line from Federer setting up the break chance, which he converted for 4-3. Another break followed as he closed out the match, securing his 73rd ATP Tour crown.

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