Del Potro gains first ATP Masters 1000 title

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The former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro won his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title with a victory over No.1 Roger Federer 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(2) in Indian Wells on Sunday.

The Argentinean famously beat Federer to win the 2009 US Open, and beat him again last year in New York, denying fans a Rafa-Roger match-up in the semi-finals.

The Argentine won the first set 6-4, and reached match point in the second set but Federer managed to save the match point and took the second set through a tie break, 7-6(8).

Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a forehand in his loss to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina in the BNP Paribas Open. /VCG Photo

The 20-time grand slam champion had a chance to serve out the match when he lead 5-4 in the final set, but del Potro saved three championship points and broke it back.

The No. 8 made the jump to 5-0 quickly in the third set tiebreaker, and grabbed his first Masters 1000 title 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(2) within 2 hour and 42 minutes.

Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina addreses the audiance at the trophy ceremony after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland during the men's final. /VCG Photo

“Today is the day for me" del Potro said on court after the match. "I’m beating Roger for the first time this year, that means a lot to me.”

"You know, look it's disappointing but I thought it was a good match yeah, Juan Martin was a bit better at the end, it was maybe a point here or there, maybe a shot, maybe a forehand, maybe a chip so that's how it goes, it's unfortunate but I'm happy for him, well done to him,” said Roger Federer.