Roger Federer sets final rematch with Novak Djokovic

Roger Federer celebrates his win over Milos Raonic in the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open

Indian Wells, March 22 (IANS)

Roger Federer set up a date with defending champion Novak Djokovic in a rematch of last year's final with a 7-5, 6-4 dismissal of No.6 Milos Raonic at the BNP Paribas Open here. "After losing 7-6 to him in the third set last year, I couldn't wait to face him on center court again," said Federer, who faced Djokovic in last year's final but lost in three sets, reports Xinhua.

The World No.2 on Saturday went on to win the first set in 45 minutes. Raonic saved a breakpoint in the fifth game with a 138 mph ace and eventually went on to hold. Federer later broke for a 6-5 lead when Raonic hit a backhand long.

"I did very well in the first set, scrambled down a few balls and then I did well to get the early break in the second set," said Federer, who is on a 19-set unbeaten run.

The second seed continued to be untroubled, despite enduring nine aces from the Canadian, as he saved the only breakpoint he faced to clinch the victory in 86 minutes.

The Swiss has a 33-2 record against players born in 1990s. His only two defeats came against Raonic in Paris last November and Federico Delbonis in Hamburg in 2013.

Federer has four titles here and will play the final for the sixth time.