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Another title and Rafa’s back in the habit
Rafael Nadal rallied from a set and 1-3 down in the second to beat Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the BNP Paribas Open final, giving the Spaniard his third title in four tournaments since returning from a seven-month injury layoff.
Rafael Nadal rallied from a set and 1-3 down in the second to beat Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the BNP Paribas Open final, giving the Spaniard his third title in four tournaments since returning from a seven-month injury layoff.
Nadal improved to a career-best 17 wins from 18 matches this year, including 14 straight wins.
He's won three titles, two on clay while runner-up in another on his favorite surface, since returning from a left knee injury.
Sharapova wins
Maria Sharapova defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-2 to win her first title of the year in the women's final between two former top-ranked players.
“I always felt like I was always a foot ahead, especially with the breaks," she said. "I was able to serve well today, and that helped me.”
Indian Wells is Nadal’s first hard-court title since Tokyo in October 2010, having lost in six previous finals on the surface.
He won his 600th career match and will move to No. 4 in the rankings. Nadal broke a tie with Roger Federer with his record 22nd career ATP Tour Masters 1000 title.
He earned $1 million for his third Indian Wells title.
Del Potro came up short in his bid to beat three Top-10 players in the same tournament for the second time in his career.
