PHOTOS: Novak Djokovic Repeats as BNP Paribas Open Champion

Novak Djokovic won the rematch of the BNP Paribas Open final a year ago to claim back-to-back tournament titles beating Roger Federer 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2 on Sunday in Indian Wells.

The historic 40th BNP Paribas Open saw Djokovic become the first men’s player to repeat as champion since Federer won three straight titles from 2004-2006.

“I thought overall it was a great match from my side, very solid, great intensity, great commitment to hit every ball. I was very focused in the present moment,” Djokovic said.

With the win, Djokovic captured his 21st ATP Masters 1000 title and 50th career title.

“It’s a great milestone,” Djokovic said. “I don’t take anything for granted. I don’t take anything a guarantee or something that just came from the life.”

The Serb was efficient in the first set with his service games, dropping just four of 24 points. Grabbing a lone break, Djokovic easily captured the first set 6-3 in just 32 minutes.

Federer’s serve was again broken early in the second set by the Serb. The Swiss fought back leveling the score at 4-4, electrifying the crowd to a standing ovation.

“It’s clearly the great moments of athlete’s or player’s career when you do feel the love of the crowd, which I did feel right at the end of the second set,” Federer said.

The second set went to a tiebreaker, where the two kept cracking long baseline rallies. Up 5-4 with the match on his racket, Djokovic double faulted twice and Federer seized set point, winning 7-6 (5).

“(I) definitely felt like they wanted to see a third set,” Federer said. “I was hoping that was not just for the match itself but for me personally. I hope it was like that, but if it’s not it’s cool, too. I get it. They want to see more tennis or more drama, so I’m disappointed a bit flat from my side.”

Djokovic regained his composure to break Federer’s serve again, grabbing a 2-0 lead in the third set. In the next service game, the World’s No. 1 player could not consolidate the break, and after 5 deuce points Federer broke back.

A Federer double fault gave Djokovic another break at 4-2, this time the Serb didn’t look back.

“He’s human as well,” Djokovic said. “You know, again, that was a huge game, 3‐2. He was I think 40‐15 up in that game and managed to play some good points; got myself in a position to break, and then he handed me that break.”

This is the eighth time in 12 years that either Djokovic or Federer has hoisted the Indian Wells title.

Sunday’s final was the 38th meeting between the great champions. With the win, Djokovic edged closed in the head-to-head match up, which is almost even, 18-20.

“I am at the prime of my career. I’m going to try to use every part of this fact to stay where I am and to fight as many, you know, major titles as possible,” Djokovic said.