• Indian Wells

Wawrinka crashes out of Indian Wells

ESPN staff
March 13, 2014
Stanislas Wawrinka lost for the first time in 14 matches this year © Getty Images
Enlarge

Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka suffered a shock Indian Wells exit after a three-set defeat to Kevin Anderson, while Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer progressed to the quarter-finals.

Third seed Wawrinka lost 7-6(1) 4-6 6-1 in his first tournament since winning his maiden grand slam in Melbourne, to provide a second major shock on Wednesday after Andy Murray's defeat to Milos Raonic.

The loss ended a 13-match winning streak for Wawrinka, with Anderson setting up a last-eight meeting with Roger Federer.

"I knew it's going to happen," Wawrinka said. "I'm not going to keep winning every tournament.

"It took me a lot of energy to come back here, to practice well, to win the first two matches, especially against [Ivo] Karlovic.

"I felt that my energy was a little bit down. Mentally, I wasn't ready."

Federer kept up his bid for a fifth title at Indian Wells - having won in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2012 - by beating Tommy Haas 6-4 6-4.

Djokovic's progress wasn't quite so serene, as he was forced to rally from a set down to beat Marin Cilic 1-6 6-2 6-3.

"It was very tough. Marin was by far the better player the first 45 minutes. He was striking the ball incredibly well," Djokovic said.

"I just tried to stay calm and composed and believe that I could come back."

The world No.2 will face Julien Benneteau, who beat Feliciano Lopez 6-3 7-6(4). Elsewhere, John Isner saw off Fernando Verdasco 7-6(3) 3-6 6-3.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices