In Djokovic era, Federer still fights

— -- INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- After beating Andreas Seppi earlier in the week, avenging his surprising Australian Open third-round loss, Roger Federer reflected on the past 10 years and the slices of the Big Three era, in which he, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have taken turns wearing the crown of the best men's player in the world.

There was 2005 to 2008, Federer was the undisputed king, threatening to turn the sport into a peerless Michael Jordan-era NBA monarchy. There were 2009, 2010 and 2013, when Nadal reigned, returning Federer to earth, powering himself into a position no one thought possible with Federer: a rival.

Since Djokovic's 2011 breakout, however, when he won three majors, forced Nadal to face his naked core as a competitor and established himself as a legendary player, tennis has run through him.

"To me, it seems [Djokovic has] been the player to beat in recent years because he's stayed injury-free, played the most consistent, and won probably the most slams in the last few years," Federer said Saturday.

The 2015 men's title here at Indian Wells will also run through Djokovic, but without a mandate, as the great Federer refuses to succumb to the Djokovic era. Through them all, Nadal, Djokovic and that strip of peninsula where Andy Murray won two majors and an Olympic gold medal, Federer is still there. In an afternoon of lukewarm tennis, Federer and Djokovic ran through Milos Raonic and Murray, respectively, in their semifinal matches to arrive exactly where each did a year ago: facing each other in the men's final.

Federer-Djokovic XXXVIII, with Federer leading 20-17, will be many things. It will be the first time in the 40-year history of the tournament the previous year's finalists will meet in a rematch. It will be only the third time that finalists have ever met each other again (Djokovic and Nadal played in the 2007 and 2011 finals, while Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras met in 1995 and 2001). It will also be a meeting of the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the world, a meeting of two stars playing the best tennis in the world.

"Well, it was always overshadowed by the rivalry with Rafa in previous years because I always played against Novak mostly in the semis for years, and then maybe I dropped back and they were 1 and 2," Federer said. "So we still kept playing in the semis sometimes. We did have some great finals, as well. I look back at the US Open final, the Wimbledon final and the big match we played at the French Open when he was on that unbelievable streak ... but what remains is that you always know it's been tough against him."

It will also be a chance for revenge. Federer lost to Djokovic in three sets in last year's final after serving for the match. Djokovic can also avenge his loss to Federer in last month's Dubai final and the fact that Federer has won three of their past four matches.

"It's probably the ultimate final I have, probably the player in the best form. You know, the last 12 months, he's been playing some of his best tennis, I thought," Djokovic said. "We all know that Roger, with all his records, we all know the experience that he has. He's not expected to play nothing less than his best in these stages of the tournament. He won so many titles. He loves the big occasions, and I'm sure he's going to come out aggressive, wanting to win."

Neither player has shown vulnerability. Federer has faced one break point since Tuesday, and it came in a tense moment in the second set against the big-serving Raonic, but Federer snuffed out the chance with a huge serve of his own. Federer has also not dropped a set all week. He has moved brilliantly, even better than Nadal, who could not cover the forehand corner well enough and was promptly blistered by Raonic's forehand in Friday's quarterfinal.

Djokovic, meanwhile, resembled a boa constrictor, shutting down angles and hope and opportunity. Murray beat Djokovic for his two Grand Slam titles, but he has fallen far behind his rival now. Not only has he lost nine straight matches to Djokovic on hard courts and six in a row overall, but he also hasn't won a non-tiebreak set off Djokovic since Wimbledon 2013. In Saturday's semi, Murray looked for space. Djokovic gave him none. The result was a 6-2, 6-3 beatdown that was the worst Murray loss against Djokovic since a 6-0, 6-4 2008 loss in Monte Carlo and the worst on a hard court since the 2007 Miami semifinals, where Djokovic won 6-1, 6-0.

"I have seen the rise of him as he's gotten fitter and more match tough, mentally tougher, became one of the best movers we have in the game," Federer said. "Sometimes I wonder if everyone's willing to improve as much as Novak did. It's been interesting to see him figure his game out, and I'm happy I can still hang with him. I must be quite honest, because he's in his absolute prime right now, and I enjoy the challenge of him. I hope he enjoys my challenge."