Defending champion and World No. 1 Roger Federer’s debut at the 2018 Indian Wells Masters was hampered by rain and he will now have to wait for another day to get his revenge on Federico Delbonis of Argentina.
67th ranked Delbonis had defeated the Swiss maestro in their only previous meeting in Hamburg in 2013. However, Federer, who became the oldest No. 1 tennis history last month made his intentions clear right at the start of the contest and looked set to avenge his earlier loss at the hands of the 27-year-old left-hander.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion cruised to a 3-1 lead with a break of serve before having a series of mini-chances in Delbonis’ next service game to wrap up the set. But, he couldn’t do so and in the subsequent game he found himself under some pressure as he faced two break points. The 36-year-old erased them with the help of some fine serving before comfortably winning the opening set 6-3.
Both players began the second set rather cautiously as light rain continued to fall and eventually chair umpire Ali Nili decided to suspend proceedings for the day with the scorecard reading 2-2.
Earlier the start of the contest was delayed because of rain. As the players warmed up for the match, it started drizzling and the umpire asked the players to wait until the drizzle stopped. The umpire’s decision to hold play forced Federer to seek a clarification about how the play was possible on the outside courts. Umpire Nili was unaware and had no answer to Federer’s question.
“Are they playing on the other courts?” Federer asked.
“I don’t know anymore,” Nili replied.
Federer then asked Delbonis if he could start the match. “I can start but if you don’t wanna start we don’t have to,” Federer said.
Ultimately, the match began, but had to be stopped midway as the rain came back to play spoilsport to Federer’s plans.
