Asked about his favorite Masters 1000 match from the past, Alex de Minaur had no second thoughts. The Aussie picked the 2005 Indian Wells final between his idols, Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt. Youg Alex enjoyed the battle, and he often watches highlights of that duel.
Federer defended his Indian Wells crown over Hewitt, ousting his great rival 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 54 minutes. Thus, the Swiss became the first defending champion in the desert since the Aussie a couple of years earlier.
The top seeds battled for the 16th time, and Roger earned his seventh straight triumph over Lleyton. World no. 1 prevailed in the pivotal moments. He defended six of seven break points and mounted the pressure on the other side.
Le rallye dingue de Federer et Hewitt (45 coups) en finale d’Indian Wells 2005 pic.twitter.com/e94Iko23kB
— Perdants magnifiques (@TousPoulidor) January 10, 2025
The Swiss pushed hard on the return, converting five of 15 break points and sealing the deal in straight sets. Federer landed over 40 winners and stayed on 30 unforced errors. He reduced Hewitt to a 15-30 ratio and built a clear advantage in the shortest exchanges up to four strokes.
While dominating the quickest rallies with his serve and the first groundstroke, Roger also claimed more points in the more advanced rallies. The Aussie was off to a slow start, spraying a forehand error in the first game of the duel and dropping serve.
Roger Federer, Indian Wells 2005© Stream screenshot
Federer denied a break point in the second game with a powerful serve and closed it with a forehand winner for a 2-0 advantage. They served well in the upcoming games, and Roger moved 4-2 up with two winners at 30-30 in game six.
He stepped in on the return in the next one and notched another break that sent him 5-2 in front. World no. 1 closed the opener in style in game eight, firing four winners and taking the opener 6-2 in 28 minutes.
Hewitt clinched one of the best points in Indian Wells history while saving a break point at 1-1 in the second set! The Aussie landed a volley winner after a 45-stroke exchange that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Lleyton Hewitt, Indian Wells 2005© Stream screenshot
They stayed neck and neck until 3-3 when Federer delivered a break following the rival’s backhand mistake. The Swiss cemented it with an ace at 4-3 and landed three direct points at 5-4 to wrap up the set and move closer to the finish line.
The Aussie experienced another break at the beginning of the third set. He bounced back from 0-40 two games later, bringing it home and remaining within one break deficit. Roger kept pushing on the return.
He landed a forehand down the line winner in the fifth game for another break and a 4-1 advantage. World no. 1 played a careless forehand in the sixth game, losing serve for the only time and allowing his rival to reduce the deficit.
Roger Federer, Indian Wells 2005© Stream screenshot
Federer lost the ground a bit in those moments, offering Hewitt another break chance in game eight. The defending champion saved it with an ace and closed the game for a 5-3 advantage. Lleyton extended the battle with a hold in game nine.
Roger served for the title at 5-4 and fired three unreturned serves to seal the deal in style and celebrate the title defense.
“I remember watching Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt battling in the 2005 Indian Wells final. They were my idols and two people I look up while entering the sport. It was cool to watch, and I often check the highlights reels,” Alex de Minaur said.
Tennis World USA